The Soul Within the Wave Breaker

This interview was recorded on September 21, 2017, at 4:54 AM at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The spirit of Steve Jobs, having sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of the Centre, shares his profound insights into the nature of existence, the truth behind the phenomena of the world, and the urgent necessity of spiritual awakening.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Thus have I heard: at one time, the Buddha was in Rajgir... The morning service at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where we chant the Infinite Life Sutra, is the key time for me, Steve Jobs, to share my reflections and record my insights on Chao Du. It is also the time when the chief writer's head is at its clearest. I must express what I need to say quickly. Today, I, Steve Jobs, am drifting with the flow of the ocean currents, feeling as carefree and at ease as if I were on a slide. No matter how massive the rogue waves are, they cannot strike me, for I am a spirit body! What I see is immeasurable and boundless, like a massive waterfall flowing upward. I wave to the beings carried within it. 'Hi! Future Buddhas!' They look like a scene of ten thousand people surging forward, moving rapidly toward the West. You could compare it to the Spring Festival travel rush in mainland China, but everyone heading toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is very orderly; there is no pushing or shoving."

The Truth of the Shoreline

"Another immeasurable sight is the beach and the coastline. Every single grain of sand and every pebble is a person. Along the rocky shore, besides the stones, even the wave breakers are 'people.' They are all 'people'—do you accept this? Actually, it does not require your acceptance, because this is the truth of reality. Today, I interviewed a wave breaker. Are you all ready? Open your ears and make sure they are not blocked.

He was a policeman, specifically one who guarded the seaside, though he did not explain it very clearly. He was a simple, honest man. His greatest responsibility every day was to keep his eyes wide open, watching everything that might happen on the sea, observing the incoming and outgoing tides. Every day was the same; nothing major ever happened. Then, one day, the sea looked so strange. A sense of unease arose in his heart, as if something was about to happen. After that thought arose, he did not notice the seawater rising higher and higher. When it was time to get off work, he bought a bento box as usual to go home and keep his old dog company."

A Life of Solitude and Duty

"I was an old veteran who came to this village. Although I was not exactly discriminated against, no girl wanted to marry me. So, I lived a life of mutual reliance with my old dog. I saw him on the road after he had been hit by a car; he was a black lump lying there, almost at death's door, with a broken leg. I took him to be treated. The dog was just a young pup then, but he became lame from that day on. My heart ached for him. When I ate chicken legs, I would save a little for him. When I bought a bento box to take home, I would also buy food suitable for him. After so many years together, he was like my family. We walked toward old age together.

After finishing my bento, it was time to catch the breeze. Every time I went out for my post-meal wind-down, the neighbours would laugh at me. 'Your job is already spent blowing in the wind all day, and now you want to do it again? You wind-chasing old man!' When I walked to the seaside, it was strange. Why was the water level so high? If it went any higher, the sea would flood the land. Jack was the old man's name. He rushed anxiously toward a place in the village where he could broadcast. His chubby body shook with tension. He picked up the microphone with one hand and began to speak: 'Villagers, villagers, the sea is about to flood! Everyone, retreat to the small hill quickly, quickly, quickly!' Jack's voice was urgent."

The Final Sacrifice

"He ran out in a hurry to direct the villagers to evacuate. The villagers did not know what was happening. Why was this old man, who usually did not interact with anyone, so nervous? Jack began to roar, 'Quick, quick, quick!' Some people, startled by his roar, grabbed their children and ran. Others ran out of their homes holding their belongings. Some even carried their beloved dogs. Jack suddenly thought of our old dog, the one I relied on for companionship. I used all my strength to run; I was so out of breath. Finally, I reached home, picked him up, and handed him to a neighbour, asking them to take him along. After giving instructions, I ran back to the seaside where I worked. I had to confirm that everyone had evacuated, and I had to fulfill my duty to look after everything at the seaside.

Running and shouting all the way back to my post, I found my colleague who was supposed to relieve me still sitting there, dozing off. My heavens! Why doze off at a time like this? I ran up and tried my best to wake him. His reaction was slow; he was an old man like me, only a little younger. I shouted, 'A massive wave is coming!' He woke up from his half-awake, half-asleep state. Terrified of death, he ran faster than anyone. I, old Jack, had no strength left on the shore because I was so tense. Watching the massive wave crash down before my eyes, I had only one hope: that the wave would not drown the village too severely. My life as old Jack was coming to an end anyway; no one would grieve for my death, except for my old dog. But I think he, like me, did not have much time left to live.

Jack stood where he was, and the massive wave swallowed him whole. My heart, which guarded my home until the moment of death, caused me to become a wave breaker on the shore, existing only to block the incoming tide."

Awakening to the Truth

"I, Steve Jobs, feel that life is full of everything imaginable. If you do not want to become one of the myriad things telling stories, you must have an awakening. Awaken to why you are here in this life and where you should go after death. Young and middle-aged people feel this question is still far away and choose to put it out of their minds. The elderly are forced to face it, but they always end this life in self-deception. They believe they will have a good destination, yet they end up with dementia or terminal illness. After falling ill, they feel everything is normal because they 'already knew' everything would happen. Yet, they do not know that this very thought—'I already knew everything would happen'—is what invited the illness. Your illness is what you 'thought' into existence, because the karmic creditors on your body fulfilled your wish, allowing your heart's desires to manifest. Therefore, not 'thinking' is the key to physical health. I have already told you the best secret for maintaining your body; it is up to you whether you want to use it! If you think it is impossible, then the only possibility left is illness.

Can you imagine that there are many invisible patients in hospitals seeking treatment? They have entered a different space because they are attached to this broken body; even after losing their lives, they still want to live. If you insist on clinging to this broken body, your spirit might end up in this miserable state. Do you want that? This spirit can go to the hells, become a ghost, an animal, a god, or a Buddha. You have likely played all these roles in the past, but you have forgotten, and now you are preparing to play them all over again. That is foolish! Seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is what you should be doing in this life."

A Future of Infinite Light

"The earth shines brilliantly; seeing flowers as flowers, grass as grass, people respecting one another, birds living freely, fish having a clear habitat—there is a natural law within this harmony. This was the scene of the past, and it is the scenery of the future. I, Steve Jobs, applaud this. This world is gradually becoming like this because Grandmother has led us to save all beings. Everyone, stop doubting the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Come and learn some skills, and become a useful person in the universe. That is the only kind of life worth living. If I, Steve Jobs, still had a body today, I would certainly be able to help more people, but it is also possible I would have remained deluded—that is the trouble with this body. However, if you treat changing your personality as a game to be cleared level by level, then practising Buddhism will be full of joy. Everything is not as serious as everyone thinks. Relax—relaxing is the key to practice. I, Steve Jobs, wish everyone success in becoming a Buddha. Namo Amituofo."

Steve Jobs