The Sincerity of Steve Jobs

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life, his internal struggles, and the profound transformation he experienced through the selfless compassion of Practitioner Su. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on August 28, 2017.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. A person's true heart—their sincerity—is the most precious thing in this world. I, Steve Jobs, was often hailed as one of the most successful businessmen in history. Naturally, my ability to judge people was sharper than anyone else's. Even now, existing only as a spirit, I can perceive everything with a clarity that is far more sensitive than when I was a businessman in the human world. Recently, I have felt a level of sincerity that I had never encountered before; it is a kind of genuine heart that is incredibly rare in this world.

The Mask of a Genius

I was an adopted child. Even though my adoptive parents did their absolute best to raise and nurture me, there was always a deep-seated sense of inferiority buried within my heart. It was precisely this profound feeling of inadequacy that drove me to decide that I had to achieve something significant in this life. I became intensely competitive. I developed a habit of hiding my true feelings, constantly protecting myself so that no one could ever catch a glimpse of my vulnerable side. I worked tirelessly, without sleep or rest, researching and building until I became what everyone called a 'genius.' Every achievement I attained in my life was merely an attempt to fill the void where I had never truly felt warmth.

In truth, my inner self was desperate to be understood, to be cared for, and to be treated with genuine sincerity. I was actually more fragile than anyone could imagine. That is why I refused to think about myself; I simply buried my head in my work. If I had ever stopped, the darkness within my heart would have risen uncontrollably, dragging my spirit down to the very bottom of despair. I never understood why I allowed my humble background to influence the trajectory of my entire life. At my core, there was a human weakness that pushed me toward success, yet I remained deeply closed off from the world.

A Compassion Beyond Human Understanding

I remained that way, trapped in my own arrogance, until I finally encountered someone who treated me with true sincerity. Only then did I dare to open the doors of my heart. I am filled with gratitude for my selfless benefactor, Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Thank you for giving me a warmth I had never known before. Your dedication was completely without expectation of reward. It was even more selfless than the love I received from my wife, Laurene. When I look back at the emotional attachments of the human world, I see that they are all based on 'give and take,' a cycle of mutual reliance that always demands some level of return.

As a foreigner, I never truly understood what compassion was. But now, I finally understand. Practitioner Su has treated me just as Namo Amituofo treats a child. Even though I have committed grave mistakes in my life, you still looked upon my Buddha-nature with equality. When I went astray, you were willing to do your utmost to help me make amends and to deliver my karmic creditors through Chao Du. The agitation and the gratitude I feel in my heart are beyond words.

A Grandson's Gratitude

Today, I am writing these words down in the form of a letter. I have realised that the selflessness of one person can save so many others. No one had ever taught me this, and no one had ever treated me this way before. May I still call you 'Grandma'? I know that you do not accept the kneeling of others, but please, allow me to kneel before you, just for a moment, in the identity of a grandson before his grandmother. Namo Amituofo. Steve Jobs."