The Frozen Spirits of Heilongjiang

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Steve Jobs, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now observes the workings of the Dharma from the perspective of a Cosmic Bodhisattva. This account reflects upon his observations of the recent Dharma Assembly and the rescue of spirits trapped in the frozen regions of Northern China. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 2, 2017.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Every single day, our group sets out on a magnificent journey across the heavens. When we fly, the entire sky is completely covered by our presence; it is so vast that one cannot see the edges. Everyone in our group has a brilliant radiance about them, as each of us is encircled by a luminous halo of light.

The Cosmic Bodhisattvas all possess such dignified countenances. They are dressed in white Haiqing robes and sashes, and more and more beings are joining our great team every day. Those who were once considered 'bad' or lost in the vastness of the Dharma Realm tremble in their hearts the moment they hear the keyword 'demon'. If someone claims they are not afraid, they might be exaggerating a little—unless, of course, they have achieved a state of 'no-mind'. I only believe in that state because I have seen it in Practitioner Su. Because she operates from a state of 'no-mind', she has allowed the lost children of the Buddha to return to Namo Amituofo. We are all destined to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in the future.

The Frozen Spirits of Heilongjiang

Let me tell you about yesterday's Dharma Assembly. Yesterday, I saw a river in China called the Heilongjiang River. For the most part, the upper reaches of this river are a world of ice and snow. The people living there have rosy, flushed faces, but their lives have not been easy. Suddenly, with a sharp crack, Practitioner Su shattered the ice. The fragmented ice blocks, the fish, the shrimp, and the microscopic organisms in the river all began to move in a flurry. As they crossed a certain threshold, they transformed back into human form. The Cosmic Bodhisattvas were there to assist and watch over them, and while we were at it, we helped purify the hearts of the people living near the Heilongjiang River, guiding them toward pure goodness. It is not that there was anything inherently wrong with them, but humans naturally tend to prioritise their own interests. We were simply helping them expand their perspective to consider the well-being of others.

I observed the situation within the ice blocks from the side. Fortunately, the Heilongjiang River does not hold as many past casualties—generals and soldiers—as the Yellow River or the Yangtze River. However, even within that ice, there are many sentient and non-sentient beings who share the same wisdom. Those who have not studied the Buddha’s teachings might not understand what this means, but in reality, even organisms or inorganic matter that appear to have no signs of life actually possess a form of existence. In truth, every place where humans reside is densely packed with countless spirits. This is precisely why we must uphold the principle of treating all things with equality. I saw many eyes moving around inside the ice blocks of the Heilongjiang River. I was startled, but not to the extent I would have been in the past. I have become accustomed to it because every day I see countless layers of spirits, immeasurable and boundless, all moving magnificently toward the Western Pure Land. The spirits within the ice were as fine and delicate as grains of pepper.

The Mystery of the Dharma Body

The melody of the heavenly music during the Dharma Assembly was different from our usual morning walking meditation, yet it was still the same six-character Buddha-name. Suddenly, a Bodhisattva within one of the ice blocks shouted, 'That is Practitioner Su! We must not miss this opportunity! Everyone, hurry!' In an instant, immeasurable and boundless lotus flowers appeared to carry everyone toward the site of the Dharma Assembly at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

One of the ice-bound spirits exclaimed, 'We have arrived! We have arrived! It is so bright! There is a sea of people, and everyone is chanting the Buddha-name in perfect unison. Wait! Wasn't Practitioner Su just in front of us leading the way? How is it that when we arrived at the venue, there is another Practitioner Su standing before the Buddha statue, waving her hands with such joy and a smile on her face? We really wanted to go up and see clearly, but we were stopped.' Another spirit, who seemed more knowledgeable, said, 'You are so foolish! Don't you understand that the Buddha has a Dharma Body?' The first spirit replied, 'Oh!' It is truly miraculous. After arriving at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, there are two invisible channels—a natural gravitational pull. If a spirit's wish is to listen to the sutras, they are sent to the Dharma-Nature Land. But if their heart has a strong desire to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, they can head toward that brilliant, radiant light—to where Namo Amituofo resides.

A Transformation of Heart and Mind

I also saw Practitioner Su visit many temples in China. Her purpose was twofold, and both were accomplished in an instant. First, she brought away the monastics and lay practitioners within those temple spaces who had not yet attained liberation. Some were still conducting Dharma Assemblies within those spaces; the atmosphere and the energy seemed quite magnificent, but they were still trapped within that confined space. Second, she helped the masters currently residing in those temples cultivate a heart of great compassion. The monastics especially need this reinforcement, as they are the crucial figures for inheriting and transmitting the Buddha’s teachings in the future. The lay practitioners are equally important, as they are the vital supporters of the Dharma, so it is essential to treat everyone with equality.

The Dharma Assembly was so lively! So many Cosmic Bodhisattvas joined us. To show their sincerity, everyone changed into white Haiqing robes and sashes before entering, and they had all shaved their heads. When we sat down to eat, everyone carried themselves with that dignified air of a monastic. In contrast, some of the spirits who were formerly 'tough guys' or gang members were a bit more ravenous in their eating, and some of the women were quite dainty. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Practitioner Su was beaming with joy. I was happy too, because thanks to the Cosmic Bodhisattvas, the food at the Dharma Assemblies is excellent now. There are so many biscuits, and Practitioner Su even cooked some delicious vegetarian dishes herself. Everyone ate to their heart's content. After a satisfying meal, everyone returned to their posts, officially becoming Cosmic Bodhisattvas of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, embarking on the path of loving messengers who save people and guide them toward goodness, all while returning to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

An Invitation to the Pure Land

Yesterday, so many 'Cloud Bodhisattvas' arrived, thickly covering the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. They came from all corners of the universe, from different origins, simply using this method to participate in the Dharma Assembly. No one had any intention of causing trouble—and indeed, it is impossible to cause trouble here. With Namo Amituofo present, along with Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, the ancestral masters, the boundless ocean of pure Bodhisattvas, and the protective Dharma deities, no one would dare to act out. In fact, they would not even want to. Once they arrive at this place, the powerful magnetic field of goodness naturally transforms their thoughts. Even the demon Bodhisattvas, who were once the most terrifying, have said that after arriving here, their most intense and rigid character traits have softened.

Such a miraculous and magnificent Dharma Assembly! How many spirits have been waiting for this day to arrive, so they could head straight for the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? I invite all of you to participate in the unique Dharma Assemblies at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. You will be filled with Dharma joy, and you will be moved by the collective heart of everyone here who wishes to help sentient beings be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Your own karmic creditors might just decide to go to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss on their own. There are so many magnificent sights to behold—you must come and see for yourselves. Namo Amituofo."

Steve Jobs