Witnessing the Unseen: An Interview with Steve Jobs

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, who witnessed the process of 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 observations recorded on November 28, 2017. Recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. A magnificent Chao Du is a process where sentient beings are rescued one by one from the various dimensions of space. It is like a powerful, warm light in the universe, guiding everyone to leave suffering behind and gain happiness. Those who encounter this opportunity should not hesitate for even a second.

Today, I helped guide some beings from Mount Huang and Mount Tai. Some of them were actually practitioners who had become so attached to the serenity of the mountains that they continued to sit in meditation even after losing their physical bodies. Most of them were incredibly thin, their eyes almost entirely closed. Even as they were being brought out, they remained in that same meditative posture. I intentionally waved my hand in front of them, but there was no reaction; it was clear that their Meditation (Concentration) skills were profound. I stepped back, feeling that one must show deep respect for such practitioners.

The Arrogance of Nature and the Joy of Liberation

I also brought out some stones and pine trees. They were different from those you see in the outside world. There was a certain arrogant air about them, but after purification, everyone is essentially a Buddha. The small stones rolling along the riverbed were quite adorable; as they tumbled, they kept calling out, 'Hurry, hurry! What will we do if the ones behind us don't make it in time?' I reassured them, 'Don't worry, there are dignified monastics behind us who will help everyone.' The stones replied, 'Then we can rest easy. Thank you, handsome!' I was taken aback and asked, 'Are you talking to me?' The stones just nodded, waved, and went on their way.

The grass across the fields swayed with the Wind God. The Wind God took the lead, chanting Namo Amituofo as he departed, and the grass swayed in rhythm to follow him. Beneath them were many more stones and layers of soil; everyone was a lucky recipient of this grace today. Seeing everyone able to leave suffering behind and gain happiness is truly the most joyful thing I have ever witnessed.

The Karmic Mirror: From Pig to Person

Of course, there were also sights that were truly heartbreaking. I saw pigs huddled together. After their animal forms were shed, their living conditions were revealed to be quite poor. Once the Buddha-light shone upon them, they all transformed back into human forms. There were lazy young men, hardworking farm women who had raised pigs, and even a young lady who had been obsessed with her own beauty. Even the Madam who accompanied us to assist with the Chao Du was shocked; once that pig shed its form, she looked just as beautiful as a noble lady.

Naturally, becoming a pig is inseparable from the laws of karma and cause and effect. It turned out that this young lady had fallen in love with a poor boy and insisted on marrying him, despite her parents' objections. After they were married, her husband cherished her deeply and was very proud of her beauty. However, she remained temperamental, never wanting to do housework, and constantly bossed her husband around. She did not realise that as the years passed, she was growing older, and she began to complain about the dissatisfaction of her life, lamenting that her husband had never provided her with the wealthy lifestyle she once imagined. She eventually died of deep melancholy. After her death, she became a pig, as her habit of being lazy and gluttonous had already been deeply ingrained. Even as a pig, she had a bad temper and often fought with others for food. Everyone was shocked when they saw the truth of this karmic retribution.

The Suffering of the Hells

Following this, there were large groups of other animals who also returned to their human forms. An elephant was revealed to be a noble princess; a lizard was a cold-blooded killer; and a llama was a simple, honest Australian. Then, we witnessed the hells—the hell of amputation, where limbs were severed and reattached, some targeting the hands, some the feet, and some both. There was the enema hell, where the pain of rotting intestines was unbearable. There were so many different hells, each a manifestation of the karma one had created, resulting in such painful wailing and shrill cries. It was heart-wrenching to hear, but unfortunately, when humans do evil, they must be educated through such methods. Even then, they might not necessarily learn. Once a single thought goes astray, one must face the consequences; no one can escape it.

A Final Reflection on the Dharma

I saw workers from the Great Wall still wearing their tattered clothes, looking pitifully thin. There were both old and young, almost all of them so emaciated they were unrecognisable. I reached out to help an elderly man who had fallen. The Madam, who was dressed elegantly, also stepped forward to assist them. The scene before my eyes was deeply sorrowful; the Madam is very kind and truly wishes to help people. Everything is like a dream, yet it exists truly within space.

The grandmother is working hard to help the boss and the Madam remember everything after they wake from this dream. She wants them to know that all suffering can be brought to a conclusion once one encounters Namo Amituofo. Chao Du is indispensable; it is the only way to help sentient beings find liberation. The Buddha’s teachings must flourish. I am fortunate to have witnessed all of this and to share it truthfully.

Namo Amituofo."