The Fossil Fish

This interview was recorded on October 3, 2017, by the chief writer, Dharma-Heart. It features Steve Jobs, who, having attained deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He shares his insights on the nature of existence and his recent experiences in the Arctic.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. I find myself standing in a vast, snow-covered expanse that stretches beyond the horizon. The wind is howling, and the air is biting cold. I can hear the rhythmic sliding of a sled, pulled by dogs through the deep snow. It is a profound silence—not the silence of death, but the quiet that precedes a great blizzard, the moment when all living creatures retreat into hiding. I am here in the Arctic, hoping to catch a glimpse of the polar bears, a species nearing extinction. As a spirit, I do not feel the physical bite of this freezing weather, yet the moment I formed the mental note, 'It is so cold!', I instantly felt the chill. Is this the power of the mind manifesting reality? The sky begins to darken; the transition from summer to winter is upon us, and the Northern Hemisphere is about to enter its long, dark season. A streak of green light cuts across the sky, deepening in hue—I know this to be the aurora. I enjoy the beauty of the scene, visualising myself wrapped in a thick down jacket to better blend into the local climate. My heart feels a sense of comfort. When I was Steve Jobs, I never had the time to step outside. I barely had time to use the restroom, often trapped in a state of obsessive madness, glued to a computer screen, burying myself in work. How foolish I was. What is the purpose of a human body, and where should one go? Now, I finally know the answer: the goal is to return to our home in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am fortunate that I have already returned home; otherwise, the fate that awaited me would have been truly miserable.

The Cosmic Bodhisattvas at Work

While I was still immersed in the beauty of this space, the Cosmic Bodhisattvas had already begun their work. They fanned out across the entire Arctic. Some were on the ice, some were tending to the animals, and others dove deep into the ocean. They brought up one large fish after another, including creatures without eyes. These beings seemed to have been brought up from the deepest parts of the sea, where sunlight never reaches. They relied on long, sensitive feelers that twitched with great agility, and their bodies were flat. There were also deep-sea corals of many varieties, moving as if they were breathing. Then, there were the fossils sealed beneath the ice—some shaped like fish, others like shells. I knew what fossils were, but I realised that there must still be spirits trapped within them! Driven by curiosity, I moved toward the fossils, leaned in to take a closer look, and chose a fossilised fish. I wanted to ask about the eyeless fish, but I decided not to be greedy. I reached out and touched the fossil. Suddenly, the fossilised fish opened its mouth, nearly biting me with its sharp teeth. It was the first time I had seen such a creature, and I knew immediately that a spirit was still bound within, refusing to leave. I had not expected it to be so ferocious. I stepped back, waiting until it was illuminated by the Buddha-light and transformed back into a human form before approaching again.

The Primitive Soul and the Law of Cause and Effect

The being was a primitive man with long, matted hair and a hunched back. He was draped in animal skins for warmth, with a covering made of woven plants over his private parts. He was male, and his features were neither friendly nor kind. As I approached to speak with him, he brandished a long stick with a sharpened tip, threatening to pierce me. 'Ouch! Why are you so aggressive?' I tried to explain, but I soon realised he could not understand me. How could a primitive man understand English? I was too nervous today and forgot that the Buddha teaches with one voice, yet all beings understand according to their own nature. I called out, 'Hello!' Finally, he calmed down and asked where I came from. He treated me like a strange creature; in his primitive era, there was no clothing, and because I was dressed, he assumed I was some animal he had never seen before. I tried to explain myself to him. To better understand him, I visualised myself wearing the same attire. It was a bit embarrassing to be so exposed, but it calmed him down. I asked him, 'Why did you become a fish, and then a fossil?' The primitive man replied, 'Our diet consisted mostly of fish because other animals were harder to hunt and appeared less frequently. Living in the Arctic, in such cold weather, we had to consume high-calorie meat. I held that sharp stick to spear fish in the river. I would aim carefully and strike with all my might, just to be precise, otherwise, the fish would slip away quickly. My methods were cruel, and so I became a ferocious fish myself. I was a fish for at least five lifetimes—dying and being reborn as one over and over. The last time, I encountered a climate shift; the area entered a state of flash-freezing, and I was trapped in the ice, remaining beneath the frozen surface ever since.' I said, 'It is fortunate that Practitioner Su came to the Arctic to deliver you.' He asked, 'Who is Practitioner Su?' I replied, 'You have been saved and you don't even know who saved you? Do you understand the need to repay a kindness?' He said, 'I don't understand.' I sighed, 'It is useless to talk to you. Never mind. Practitioner Su says that when you save someone, you should not ask for a reward, or it becomes very tiring. I will stop talking; chanting Namo Amituofo is the right thing to do.' I gave the primitive man a push, helping him move toward the light.

The Bats and the Transformation of China

We all arrived at a cave filled with glowing eyes—it was a swarm of black bats. They resembled human forms in some ways, hanging upside down in the cave like people on a railing. We flew in quickly and brought them out just as fast. Some of them were shamans wearing black cloaks; it seemed they had been bats for a long time, but finally, they were restored. Today, I want to report on the current situation in China. It is a very interesting phenomenon. Practitioner Su, Chang Ren, myself, and the Cosmic Bodhisattvas took advantage of the time when most people were still asleep to quietly change everyone. Our momentum was immense, and everyone possesses such high skills that it did not take long to change their hearts. Do not be afraid; we are changing everyone toward Goodness. We took the cells that were originally full of bad temper and washed them over with 'Good' cells. After running the name Namo Amituofo through their entire bodies, they look quite good. Those who were originally hot-tempered will likely find their moods much more peaceful when they open their eyes. They may have become different people—people with good tempers. This is the magnificence and brilliance of the Buddha’s teachings. Over a billion people in China have become good people; this is a good beginning. In truth, life is like a play. Practitioner Su has always told us that we must change our personalities. A human life is just the blink of an eye. If one does not move toward Goodness, many stumbling blocks may appear in life, but these stones originate from one's own heart. To have no-mind is to be a Buddha. I welcome everyone to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to be my classmate. I welcome you with open arms. Namo Amituofo. I conclude today's sharing by chanting the Buddha's name."

Steve Jobs