Shakyamuni Buddha told Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: "When the
happiness of devas in the ten quarters of space in the future or
past comes to an end, they have five signs of decay, and are to be
cast into the evil realms. If these devas, when the five signs of
decay are approaching them, will have the opportunity of seeing the
image once, or paying homage to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva only once,
such devas will have increased happiness and will never be cast
into the three evil realms forever. If these devas make offerings
to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva such as scented flowers, clothing, food
and drink, precious jewels, etc., they will receive innumerable
happinesses and benefits in return. If sentient beings of the six
categories of beings of the present and the future in different
worlds, hear the name of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at their dying
stage, they will never be reborn to the three evil realms forever.
If parents or relatives of the dying person sell all of his
belongings, riches, properties, and use the money to make images of
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, then the dying person comes to know the
meritorious deeds done on his behalf, although the person should
suffer a severe disease according to his own Karma, but instead he
fully recovers very soon and has longevity. If the dying person
loses his life accordingly to his Karma and should be cast into the
evil realms, due to the meritorious deeds done on his behalf, all
of his punishments will be extinguished, and he will be born as a
deva or human being, enjoying great bliss.
"If sentient beings of the present or the future who have lost
their parents, sisters or brothers during their early childhood and
think of their deceased relatives when they are fully grown, and
long to know where they have been reborn, such grown up persons can
make images of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, hearing then his name,
admiring his image or paying homage to him from one day to seven
days continuously without any retreat although the deceased
relatives may merit being cast into the evil realms for kalpas, but
due to the meritorious deeds practised on their behalf, they are
free from their punishment, and will be reborn either as devas or
humans receiving great bliss. If the deceased relatives of such
meritorious persons have already been reborn as devas or human
beings, according to their Karma, with great happiness, on account
of what their relatives have practised on their behalf, they shall
receive even greater happiness and infinite bliss. If such grown up
persons can continue to pay respect to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas
images continuously, chanting his name for innumerable times for
twenty-one days whole-heartedly, then Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva will
appear before them and tell them the exact places were their
deceased relatives have been reborn. Or, through the supernatural
powers of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, they will be taken by him to
the various realms personally, to see where their former relatives
are. If they can chant the name of the Bodhisattva for a thousand
times every day, and continue to do so for one thousand days, the
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva will send forth earthly spirits to protect
them throughout their lives, and they will enjoy happiness,
prosperity and longevity, and will not experience suffering or
sorrow. Neither will they come across unhappiness, nor shall evil
enter their homes. Finally, they will attain Buddhahood.
"If there are people, either male or female, in the future who
desire to relieve sentient beings, to practise compassionate deeds,
to convert sentient beings and to possess great wisdom in order to
get out of their suffering of the Trilokas, such persons, if they
see the image of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, chant the name of
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, taking refuge in Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,
making offerings or paying homage to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, all
their wishes will be achieved without any obstacle forever. If the
sentient beings of the present and future have innumerable wishes,
or they have the desire of doing innumerable good deeds, they will
be successful in all of their aspirations if they pay respect to
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, praising him, taking him as their refuge
or paying homage to his image. If such persons long for Ksitigarbha
Bodhisattva to protect them forever, they will see Ksitigarbha
Bodhisattva in their dreams, to predict that they will be able to
attain Buddhahood.
"Even if males and females in the future have great faith in the
Mahayana Sutra, and aspire to read and recite this Sutra, though
they are taught by clever teachers, they may forget it due to their
ignorance brought about by previous bad Karma; but, when they hear
the name of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva or see his image or likeness
and make various offerings to him and place a cup of pure water in
front of him for one day and one night, then with clasped hands and
with deepest reverence, facing South, they may drink the water with
great faith. After drinking the water, they must abstain from all
evil deeds and observe the precepts piously for seven days or
twenty-one days. By so doing, these persons will see the
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in various manifestations in the dream
state, showing the Bodhisattva pouring water of wisdom on their
heads.
