The Puppet: A Reflection on Ambition and Retribution

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, who sought Chao Du 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 and his spiritual journey. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on December 14, 2019.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. Looking back at my life, there was a time when I truly wished to be nothing more than a puppet, controlled by the hands of another. I thought that if I were a puppet, I would no longer have to endure the exhausting struggle of constant pursuit—the endless chase for things I desired but could never truly possess. These cravings would surface in my mind like relentless waves, never allowing me a moment of peace.

The Illusion of Domestic Bliss

Even in the moments when I tried to quiet my mind, the image of my wife would appear. I would see her dressed so elegantly, and we would be preparing to celebrate an anniversary, hoping to add some small, fleeting joy to our lives. Without these distractions, the reality of her aging face or the crushing weight of the work that filled every corner of my existence would have seemed utterly hollow and meaningless. My heart felt as though it could never be satisfied. This competitive society taught me that there is always another mountain to climb, always a higher peak to reach.

I felt compelled to surround myself with the latest trends—perhaps the newest mobile phone or the most fashionable food of the day. If I did not satisfy these urges, I could not balance the life I lived, a life where I worked like a dog every single day. And if I am being honest, it was even harder than the life of a dog.

The Pressure of the Product Launch

One night, my heart was so restless and stifled that I needed to smoke just to find a moment of stillness. We were working to ensure our new product would be a breakthrough in the market, but I had already tried over a dozen different methods, and none had succeeded. The date of the product launch was looming, and the pressure had reached its absolute breaking point. My heart felt as though it were about to explode, and there was nowhere to vent that frustration. There was no one who could help me carry that burden.

I drank in silence and smoked countless cigarettes, trying to soothe the pain of a situation I could not escape. I knew that when I opened my eyes the next morning, I would still have to face it all. For the sake of an ambitious heart that craved achievement, I pushed my body to its absolute limit. My stubbornness and my need for perfection were pushed to the extreme. A multitude of emotions and fractured aspects of my personality surfaced all at once, driving me toward the physical collapse that eventually manifested as my illness—the hair loss, the hollow look in my eyes, and the total breakdown of my physical form.

The Retribution of Karmic Creditors

I lived in a state of long-term tension, and I was falling apart. I eventually realised that the achievements I saw before me were actually the very way that karmic creditors were taking their revenge upon me. As I rolled through the secular world, these beings gave me everything my body desired—fame, wealth, and the attention of women. I took pleasure in every attraction, and with each indulgence, these beings occupied a little more of me. They did not stop until they had completely occupied my life, until they had beaten me down to the point where I could no longer stand.

The external appearance of my suffering—the wheelchair, the bedridden days, the endless medical treatments—was the ultimate goal of their vengeance. The torment of my spirit and my physical body was the price of that retribution. Until the very moment my breath ceased, these beings continued their work. Once they had finished their revenge, my soul was led to the courts of Hell for judgment, while those who had not yet finished their retribution returned to the space between worlds to continue their wait. It is an endless cycle. Every life I have lived has been spent in this exact way.

Breaking the Cycle of Rebirth

Because my personality remained unchanged in each life, the karmic creditors from different lifetimes took turns coming for me. Without a heart of repentance, I remained in sync with these beings throughout my many lives. The relationship between these beings and myself is inseparable. Why did I fall? What was the true cause of my collapse? These are questions that most people should ask themselves. Whether one is a person of strong character or a simple, honest soul, everyone has their own karmic creditors. This body in the cycle of rebirth is here to repay the debts of past actions.

It was only after arriving at the Buddha-land that I truly understood the real relationship between the physical body and one's karmic creditors. Now that I have this understanding, the most important task is to overcome the tendencies of this physical body and to practise Chao Du for these karmic creditors. Otherwise, this great drama of reincarnation will have no end. Let this be a warning to all. Namo Amituofo."