Cell Phone Ghost

A ghost was looking at his cell phone.

I walked over to him, but he seemed unaware of me. (He was engrossed)

I kiddingly asked him,

“Even though a ghost, you’re still looking at your cell phone?”

He lifted his head up and looked at me.

“Grandmaster Lu! Are there cell phones in the Western Pure Land of Utmost Bliss?”

I was taken aback by his question.

Laughing, I replied “I have no idea.”

I asked the ghost,

“How did you die?”

“I was walking along looking at my cell phone while there was construction ahead of me. It was underground utility repair in a large hole. Even though there were warning signs around the hole, I just pushed them away and continued to stare at my cell phone. As a result, I fell into the hole and died.”

“You are a cell phone ghost.”

I told the “cell phone ghost”,

“I don’t have a cell phone.”

The ghost replied,

“You are a rare animal!”

“I’m a primitive person.”

“Without a cell phone, how do you stay in touch with your disciples ?”

“No one can get in touch with me. I focus solely on cultivation.”

“Is not having a cell phone a requirement for cultivation?”

“No. I just think a cell phone would take up too much of my time.” (A person is alive for only a short time)

“How does one avoid being addicted to their cell phone?”

“By self-discipline!”

“I know about self-discipline, but I can’t control myself.”

“You lack willpower.”

“Grandmaster Lu! Please teach me self-discipline and willpower!”

“Sure!” I replied.

I thought of a method that stripped all thoughts about his cell phone from his brain.

(I invited Pensive Bodhisattva to remove his obsession)

I blessed him.

He forgot all about his cell phone.

I hid his cell phone.

I then taught him:

“Recite the Buddha's name continuously for seven days." (Pratyutpanna Samadhi)

Finally, I guided him to a Dharma boat and he reached the pure land.

I discovered that there is a whole new delusion in modern society, the “cell phone” delusion.

Is technological progress not a good thing?

Different people, 

different views.

Do not jump to conclusions!

It’s not good to do too much or too little. As for myself, I practice the “Middle Way”.

Translated by TBTTs

Translator: Henry Wolf

Editor: DJ Chang