The Spirit Within the Yamaha Speaker

A Gathering of Infinite Beings

I am a newcomer to this sacred space, and I confess that I understand very little of what is happening around me. I see a vast sea of people, a multitude of individuals from every corner of the globe, dressed in diverse attire and representing many different backgrounds. It is a grand assembly, so immense that I cannot see where it ends. Yet, despite the sheer number of people, everyone is remarkably disciplined and orderly. Standing at the very front, I see a powerful, imposing figure holding a ritual instrument. They call him Skanda Bodhisattva. He stands like a guardian, watching over everyone with unwavering vigilance. It is clear that one must follow the rules here; one cannot simply wander about, or one might lose the precious opportunity to reach that beautiful world they speak of—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I recently witnessed the spirit of a small bell requesting Chao Du to go to the Western Land. I, too, wish to go, though I do not yet fully understand what the Western Land is. I only know that everyone here aspires to reach it, so it must be the right path. Practitioner Su has instructed me to listen to the sutras further, to gain a deeper understanding before proceeding. Before I do that, I must share my own life story and explain how I came to reside within a speaker.

A Life Defined by Sound

You may already be familiar with Peter, the man who helped install these speakers. He is a person who truly understands me, for he understands the nature of sound. During my life, my work was much like Peter’s, and I was a passionate enthusiast of audio equipment. My obsession with sound was profound, perhaps even bordering on an attachment. I spent my days searching for the finest speakers, amplifiers, and main units, often to the point of exhausting my finances. High-quality audio equipment is, after all, quite expensive.

As the years passed, my children grew up and established their own lives. Because they lived far away, they rarely returned home to visit us. My wife and I lived in a small cottage by the lake. Every evening at dusk, I would sit before the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the lake while playing moving music. I would become completely immersed and intoxicated by the sound. You cannot imagine the beauty of those moments. As the music drifted through the air, vivid images would appear before me, and the space seemed to expand, allowing my mind to roam freely.

The Transition to the Unseen

One day, as was my custom, I sat by the window while a light rain fell outside. The raindrops tapped against the flower pots, creating a rhythmic sound like a cuckoo clock: tap, tap, tap. That sound, combined with the carefully selected music, was sublime. However, it was in that moment that I drifted away from the reality of the physical world. I saw a beautiful realm where the air was filled with a faint, light, and joyful melody. I saw my wife, Claire, walking toward me from the opposite side, waving her hand. Naturally, I stepped forward, wishing to take her hand, but she suddenly vanished. I did not understand why I could no longer reach out to hold Claire’s hand.

I felt only a vague sensation of someone shaking my body violently, shouting, "Johnny, wake up! Johnny, wake up!" I found myself hovering above my own seat, looking down at my physical body. I did not want to let go, but I could no longer control my own form. I had to leave it to Claire to handle the aftermath.

The World Within the Speaker

My spirit entered the world of the speaker. What is even more remarkable is that the space inside is vast, and many spirits from all directions have gathered there. I realised that when a single screw and countless other components come together to form a speaker, it is also a time for sentient beings to gather in one place. It is truly profound. Today, I am fortunate to have arrived at this Buddha-land. From the morning Dharma assembly, I have observed everything. The space is filled with countless spirits. I, Johnny, wish to ask Practitioner Su to help me reach the Dharma-Nature Land, so that I, too, may have the opportunity to become a Buddha. I earnestly beseech Practitioner Su for her assistance. Namo Amituofo!

• Memorial Tablet: The newly installed speakers outside the Buddha Hall.
• Spirits Seeking Deliverance: Fifteen major groups of sentient beings residing within the speakers, including all the other speakers and audio equipment within the Buddha Hall, are seeking Chao Du.
• Representatives: Johnny and Robinson.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Cao Rudi.

Namo Amituofo