Awesome
After that had been said, an elder named Great Eloquence arose
in the assembly. He had long since been certified to non-production
and was only appearing in the body of an elder to teach and
transform those in the ten directions. Placing his palms together
respectfully, he asked Earth Store Bodhisattva, .Great Lord, after
people in Jambudvipa die and their close and distant relatives
generate merit by making meal offerings and doing other such good
deeds, will the deceased obtain merit and virtue significant enough
to bring about their liberation?
Earth Store replied, .Elder, based on the awesome power of the
Buddhas, I will now proclaim this principle for the sake of beings
of the present and future. Elder, if beings of the present and
future when on the verge of dying hear the name of one Buddha, one
Bodhisattva, or one Pratyekabuddha, they will attain liberation
whether they have offenses or not. When men or women laden with
offenses who failed to plant good causes die, even they can receive
one seventh of any merit dedicated to them by relatives who do good
deeds on their behalves. The other six sevenths of the merit will
return to the living relatives who did the good deeds. It follows
that men and women of the present and future who cultivate while
they are strong and healthy will receive all portions of the
benefit derived..
Amitabha