This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Steve Jobs, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his experiences in the ghost realm and his eventual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on August 3, 2019.
Steve Jobs speaks:
". I am Steve Jobs. Before I begin, let me share these lines that echo through the space between worlds:
Heaven and earth are vast and free, the grass and trees sway in the gentle breeze. The Causal Conditions of time have arrived, and my heart is no longer what it once was. Herds of cattle, horses, and sheep gather in the mist; who is who, and who is he?
The Poet of the Ghost Realm
There is a message heard from the space, carried by a poet who dwells within the ghost realm. Even now, he remains obsessed with his own literary flair. He clings to his past, insisting on using flowery, archaic language, as if his eloquence could still command respect. He carries a folding fan, waving it with a sense of self-importance that is quite something to behold.
During his time in the ghost realm, he walked the path of the underworld. He stood there, watching the endless stream of men, women, the old, and the young. Every single one of them stared straight ahead, their eyes vacant, their faces grey and blurred. They were lost, wandering without direction, not knowing which path to take.
The Weight of Karmic Debt
The underworld is a labyrinth of diverging roads, each leading to different halls of the Yama Kings for judgment. Every person carries the unique weight of the sins they committed in the world, and their destinations are as varied as their crimes. The underworld is like a massive transfer station. After the judgment, one is either sent to live in the ghost realm, or dragged into the specific hells of the various courts to suffer retribution in hell. Others are cast into the animal realm, becoming beasts or insects. It is like a grand execution ground—everything is clearly defined, and not a single detail is missed. There is no room for error in the laws of and cause and effect.
I witnessed a soul kneeling before the Ninth Court. He was surrounded by a swarm of geese, chickens, and pig spirits, all clamouring for vengeance. Some were the animals he had slaughtered, others were those he had sold, and some were those he had consumed himself. It is terrifying to think that things which seemed so trivial in the world—so natural, like a part of daily life—become a mountain of accusations in the underworld. The man had no defence. He was speechless, forced to first suffer retribution in hell, and then to be reborn as a goose to pay his debts, followed by lives as a chicken and a pig. Not one debt could be avoided. The laws of karma and cause and effect were right there, clear at a glance. Each person suffers according to their own karma, and the duration of their retribution varies.
The Final
The poet, seeing this, wrote down his reflections. He touched the grass, looked at the great trees, and realised that all things possess life. Yet, these lives remain trapped within their own attachments and preferences. In that moment, there is no right or wrong; there is only ignorance. Even after walking the path of the underworld, the poet could not wake up. His habits surfaced at every moment, and he continued to act according to his own whims, walking the path of the underworld again and again. But where does one go after walking that path? One drifts between the realms, lost and alone. If not for the famous Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su, who would have the power to change such a fate? The poet speaks out, hoping that the masses will wake up.
Everyone is a Buddha; you should understand how to become a Buddha. Walk the path of the Buddha, do the work of the Buddha, and keep the thoughts of the Buddha. Buddha after Buddha, all are Buddha. Finally, the poet let go of his fan. He joined his palms and began to chant, 'Namo Amituofo.' Before his eyes, a lotus appeared to lead him away, and the air was filled with fragrance and brilliant light. The great Bodhisattvas smiled with dignity, and he felt a deep gratitude for the of Namo Amituofo. All the sentient beings had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Buddha, Buddha, Buddha. Namo Amituofo."
