..續本文上一頁令此居家無諸橫病，衣食豐溢。
"Universally Expansive, you should know of the beneficial deeds done by Earth Store Bodhisattva as he makes use of his indescribably many billions of great awesome spiritual powers.
是故普廣，當知地藏菩薩有如是等不可說百千萬億大威神力，利益之事。
The beings of Jambudvipa have strong affinities with this Bodhisattva. If they hear the Bodhisattva”s name, see the Bodhsattva”s image, or hear but a few words, a verse, or sentence of this Sutra, then they will enjoy particularly wonderful peace and happiness in this present life.
Through hundreds of thousands of ten thousands of future lives, they will always be handsome or beautiful, and they will be born into honorable and wealthy families."
閻浮提衆生，於此大士有大因緣。是諸衆生，聞菩薩名，見菩薩像，乃至聞是經叁字五字，或一偈一句者，現在殊妙安樂，未來之世，百千萬生，常得端正，生尊貴家。』
Having heard the Buddha, Thus Come One, praise Earth Store Bodhisattva in that way. Universally Expansive Bodhisattva knelt, placed his palms together, and again addressed the Buddha, saying, "World Honored One, I have long known that this Bodhisattva has both inconceivable spiritual powers and mighty vows. I have questioned the Thus Come One so that beings in the future will know of these benefits. I receive this answer most respectfully.
爾時普廣菩薩聞佛如來稱揚贊歎地藏菩薩已，胡跪合掌複白佛言：『世尊，我久知是大士有如此不可思議神力，及大誓願力，爲未來衆生遣知利益，故問如來，唯然頂受。』
World Honored One, how should this Sutra be titled and how should we propagate it
"
The Buddha said to Universally Expansive, "This Sutra has three titles:
the first is The Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva;
it is also called Earth Store”s Past Conduct; and
it is called Sutra of the Power of Earth Store”s Past Vows.
『世尊，當何名此經，使我雲何流布？』
佛告普廣：『此經有叁名： 一名 地藏本願， 亦名 地藏本行， 亦名 地藏本誓力經。
Because this Bodhisattva repeatedly makes such great and mighty vows throughout long eons to benefit beings, you should all propagate this Sutra in accord with his vows."
After Universally Expansive had heard that, he placed his palms together respectfully, made obeisance, and withdrew.
緣此菩薩，久遠劫來，發大重願，利益衆生，是故汝等，依願流布。』
普廣聞已，合掌恭敬作禮而退。
CHAPTER VII
Benefiting the Living and the Dead
利益存亡品第七
At that time Earth Store Bodhisattva, Mahasattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I see that every single movement or stirring of thought on the part of beings of Jambudvipa is an offense. Beings tend to use up the wholesome benefits they gain; many of them end up retreating from their initial resolve. If they encounter evil conditions, they augment them with every thought.
They are like people trying to carry heavy rocks while walking through mud. Each step becomes more difficult and the rocks more cumbersome as their feet sink deeper. If they meet a mentor, he may be strong enough to lighten or even totally remove their burdens. Helping them thus, the mentor will urge them to step on solid ground, pointing out that once they reach a level place they should remain aware of that bad path and never traverse it again.
爾時地藏菩薩摩诃薩白佛言：『世尊，我觀是閻浮提衆生，舉心動念，無非是罪。脫獲善利，多退出心。若遇惡緣，念念增益。是等輩人，如履泥塗，負於重石，漸困漸重，足步深邃。若得遇善知識，替與減負，或全與負。是知識有大力故，複相扶持，勸令牢腳。若達平地，須省惡路，無再經曆。』
"World Honored One, the bad habits of beings range from minor to major. Since all beings have such habits, their parents or relatives should create blessings for them when they are on the verge of dying in order to assist them on the road ahead.
『世尊，習惡衆生，從纖毫間，便至無量。是諸衆生有如此習，臨命終時，父母眷屬，宜爲設福，以資前路。
That may be done by hanging banners and canopies; lighting oil lamps; reciting the sacred Sutras; making offerings before the images of Buddhas or sages.
Another way to assist them is by reciting the names of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Pratyekabuddhas so that the recitation of each name passes by the ear of the dying one and is heard in his fundamental consciousness.
"Suppose the evil …
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