The Digital Mirage: A Reflection from Steve Jobs

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life, the karmic consequences of his work, and his subsequent spiritual transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Shi Faxi, on August 9, 2017.

Venerable Shi Faxi speaks:

"I am here to invite the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs. I am about to interview him regarding his life's journey. I ask that he speak with compassion, and for the sake of repaying the Buddha's kindness, help the people of the world today. Namo Amituofo."

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. This message is being relayed through a capable practitioner of Chinese heritage, transmitted from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, so I will speak in Chinese. I am Steve Jobs. From the very beginning of my birth, everything seemed to be arranged—the family I was born into, my biological mother, and the arrangement of a trustworthy adoptive family. Looking back at all the possible futures, it seems there was a hope that my upbringing would lead to some form of achievement, that I would certainly attend university. Through the arrangements of karmic affinity and various twists and turns, I arrived at a family that had a connection with me. My biological mother was not entirely satisfied with these arrangements, and the family's financial situation was not ideal. She even tried to change her mind, but under the strong pull of karmic affinity, I still arrived at that home."

The Karmic Threads of My Early Life

"In my adoptive family, I was initially exposed to mechanical modification. This early contact with the precision of assembly sparked a deep interest within me. My IQ was quite high, but I did not care for traditional schooling; I could be considered a 'problem student' of sorts. From a young age, I loved to dismantle, reassemble, and invent. It became a daily necessity. I had my own temper and my own space. I was very clever, but it depended on whether I had an interest in the subject. Interest was my primary source of motivation. Whether something could pique my curiosity became the main way my elders taught me. Because of this, I seem to have been somewhat overprotected, which fostered a personality that was not easily disciplined.

"As long as I wanted to learn, I could learn quickly and well; I could even be self-taught. But I had to have the drive to learn. I was extremely intelligent, and my teachers and adoptive father gradually discovered this. They slowly learned how to educate me. To provide me with a better learning space and environment, my adoptive parents exhausted much effort and financial resources. I did not let my adoptive father down. In the fields I loved, I carved out a bright future. Of course, I must also attribute this to the fact that I met mentors who truly understood and cared for me. I met more than one such mentor, and I also had colleagues who researched and developed alongside me. I am very grateful for all the karmic connections I encountered."

The Rise of Apple and the Weight of Success

"The first simple machine I invented led professional inventors and scholars to recognize me as a talent, providing me with significant resources and direction. The journey was filled with hardships and obstacles, but ultimately, I successfully founded Apple. Apple did not always have record-breaking performance; we had our low points. Later, through a series of developments—the iPhone, the iPod, and other electronic products—Apple became a global phenomenon and a leading brand. However, my life ended because of this. I died of cancer. Surgery and various therapies could not save my life. My life came to a halt in my fifties. I did not make much of a contribution to life, because what I left behind was a new wave of technology—a poison for the youth.

"After I died, I descended into the hells. Perhaps no one could imagine this. I came from a traditional American family and had absolutely no concept of what you now call the laws of karma and cause and effect. I also completely failed to understand that the new technology I created would cause damage to the world. Afterward, although I had become a spirit, I carefully reflected on my life. I truly should not have created these things. Although they are convenient, the excessive convenience and replaceability have caused the new generation to lose the vitality they should possess."

The Illusion of the Digital World

"I am very sorry. My inventions, in the end, were for the sake of competition, innovation, and infinite fame and profit. My brain was constantly running. Sometimes, once I started creating or writing research proposals, I would often forget to eat or sleep. I often lost the quality of life, and I did not notice when my body's 'red lights' were flashing. My brain never stopped thinking because time was my most precious commodity. I could not allow even a fraction of it to be wasted. I was very driven and worked very hard for the business I founded, but I never noticed that this was a mistake—that I was creating negative karma.

"I died of a malignant and rapidly progressing pancreatic tumor. Now, I can see clearly that technology harmed my life because I opened up the illusory world of the Demon Realm. Although Apple was not the only company developing technology, I know that everyone's karmic retribution is the same. Earning such wealth requires paying the price of cause and effect. The series of products Apple first launched sold very well, and later, wave after wave of products became a global craze. Almost everyone has an Apple phone in their hand; people are almost inseparable from these phones every second. Human life has become completely integrated into the world of technology, becoming not at all simple, but instead filled with the illusions of space."

A Plea for the Future of Humanity

"I am deeply sorry that I wrongly developed these series of technological products. Now that I am no longer in this world, this world is filled with the proliferation of technology. Everyone is immersed in it, unable to extricate themselves, regardless of age. Even young children seem to have forgotten the joy of the outdoors. This is terrifying. I did not know that technology would damage everyone's life in this way. These technologies truly bring convenience, but through wrong application and abuse, people should not forget the real world outside of the illusion. This illusory space is far too large. The reason is the emptiness in people's hearts, which finds temporary satisfaction within it. I have no way to stop all of this. Technology is being constantly developed and innovated; it will become increasingly convenient, and may even replace all human behavior. If so, what is the point of humans being alive? To be replaced by all this technology? This seems to be a very terrifying result.

"When I was developing Apple computer products and the Apple phone, looking back now, I realize that my expression had already taken on the visage of the Demon Realm. It is hard to describe what I mean, but it is the truth. The Demon Realm wants to control the desires of the human heart through technology. This must be broken; this must be changed, otherwise, it is too terrifying. It is like technological games; even a small game on a mobile phone today, if a child becomes addicted, they lose their curiosity to explore the outside world. How many children have become trapped in these closed gaming spaces? Parents have neglected this discipline, and they lack the foresight to see the growth of the problem. I am most worried that technology is poisoning the future of children.

"Because of these things, I descended into the Avici Hell. I served a very, very long sentence between the heart-gouging and brain-gouging hells. I was saved and brought to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre because there was a hope that I would clearly account for the creation of the Apple phone, that I would repent, and that I would save the world from this obsession. In the past, I truly did not realize the severity of the problem. I am truly sorry. I am now in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, though my rank is not very high. It was only after arriving here that I recognized the profound nature of the Buddha's teachings and began to learn the education of the Buddha. I hope everyone will also become familiar with this. The education of the Buddha should be revived. I am Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. I am at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Everyone is welcome to come and find me; I am very willing to answer your questions. To the headquarters in the United States, I hope you can stop all development activities. You could explore how such technological convenience can create a healthy online world, and how to properly connect the illusory world with reality. I hope everyone will not let technology harm their lives."

"A sincere message from Steve Jobs. The interview information was written down by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi."

Namo Amituofo.