The Regret of a Tech Visionary

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 reflects upon his life and the profound impact of his technological innovations on the human spirit. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xin, on August 25, 2017.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. As I look back upon the world from this place, I observe that all of humanity possesses incredibly resourceful minds. Innovation and creativity are the qualities most revered in your society today. This relentless drive is what fuels entrepreneurs to constantly manufacture new products, one after another. Countless industries demand this specific type of mental agility—from game developers and massive corporations like 3M, to the product design departments of every major company on the planet. Yet, beyond the mere act of innovation, there is something even more critical: the marketing. To be able to sell a product—that is the ultimate goal for any inventor or corporation. Have you all noticed the common thread that binds these pursuits together? It is the mind. The mind must be kept in a state of constant, frantic motion. You must rack your brains, turning every possibility over and over again, just to squeeze out a single, viable idea. These projects are typically forced into a cycle of completion within six months or a year. Once they are manufactured, marketed, and packaged, they are pushed out as the latest products. Before a product is ever released, the company has undoubtedly conducted exhaustive market evaluations to ensure a high rate of consumption and to cultivate a loyal base of enthusiasts."

The Hidden Cost of Progress

"After reading the many letters I have shared, you should all realise that beneath the veneer of product innovation, one must consider the true welfare of the people. Whether the birth of a new product brings a positive or negative influence to humanity is something that requires deep, multi-faceted consideration. If you fail to do this, you are creating karma—a debt you will be unable to repay, often without even realising you have incurred it. This is my solemn warning to you all. Since you have already paid the heavy price of exhausting your minds in such a chaotic and scattered way, do not waste that energy creating things that ultimately harm society and the people within it. We must not be foolish designers or short-sighted entrepreneurs. If you choose to be a philanthropist instead, perhaps when your life reaches its inevitable end, you might be able to depart with a little more dignity. This is the truth of the laws of karma and cause and effect that I spoke of just a few days ago. Otherwise, when the demons of illness entangle you, and you find yourself lying on an operating table, how are you any different from a fish on a chopping block, waiting to be gutted and sliced open?"

A Soul's Plea for Redemption

"A person's life must have the support of a religious faith; otherwise, one eventually loses the ability to distinguish between goodness and evil. My life, spent creating technology, was not a benefit to the world; it was a source of addiction—a profound, negative influence. Today is a significant day. I am kneeling before the Buddha, filled with sorrow for everything that has transpired in this world. I did not set out to destroy the world, nor was it my intention to cause such widespread suffering. I weep, but I know that I cannot turn back the clock. I have made a vow to engage in sincere practice, and I wish to return to help save all of humanity. This heavy burden of sin, this mountain of debt—it is not something that should be borne by one person alone. I am now nothing but a spirit, stripped of my physical body, waiting for any opportunity to make amends for all that I have done."

A Warning to the Tech Giants

"I implore you all: please, stop being so obsessed with Apple products. Of course, this is not just about Apple; you should not be addicted to any form of smartphone. They are merely tools, not the foundation upon which your life should depend. To the leaders of the great technology firms: do you see the regret of Steve Jobs? Please, cease these actions that are contributing to the destruction of the world. In the past, you did not understand, and neither did I. But now, you should know better, should you not? This is not a trivial matter; it is a matter of grave importance for all of humanity. I am willing to set aside my ego and kneel before you all to beg you to stop. I am Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. Namo Amituofo."