Just at that time, an honourable elder known as the Elder of
Eloquence, who had attained the state of never-returned, joined the
assemblage. He had converted beings in the ten quarters of space.
In the form of a transformation with clasped hands, he inquired of
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva reverently, "Bodhisattva, if relatives of
erring deceased beings, whether adult or juvenile, do pious deeds
on their behalf, will great benefit or Salvation come to
them?"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied, "My elderly One, under the
supernatural power of the Shakyamuni Buddha, for the benefit of all
beings of the present and the generations yet to come, may I answer
you in brief. Any sentient being now and hereafter, who hears the
name of but one Buddha or Bodhisattva, or one Pacceka Buddha at his
dying moment, no matter whether this being be sinful or virtuous,
he shall be led eventually to Salvation.
