..續本文上一頁 revolving in and out of the various paths over and over as this Bodhisattva labors throughout many long eons to entirely effect their rescue and release.

　　是罪報人乃至墮大惡趣，菩薩以方便力，拔出根本業緣，而遣悟宿世之事。自是閻浮提衆生結惡習重，旋出旋入，勞斯菩薩久經劫數而作度脫。』

　　"They are like people who in confusion, lost their way home and took a bad road by mistake. On that treacherous road were many Yakshas, tigers, wolves, lions, serpents, and vipers.

　　Those confused people were sure to be harmed in an instant on that dangerous path.

　　But then they met a knowledgeable guide, skilled in neutralizing all harm, including the toxins of the Yakshas and others.

　　The mentor began to guide the travelers off that road and told them, ”Beware, everyone! What business brought you onto this road

　　 What kinds of special skills do you have to avoid all that harm

　　”

　　 『譬如有人迷失本家，誤入險道，其險道中，多諸夜叉、及虎狼獅子、蛇蝮蠍。如是迷人，在險道中，須臾之間，即遭諸毒。有一知識，多解大術，善禁是毒，乃及夜叉諸惡毒等。忽逢迷人欲進險道，而語之言：「咄哉男子，爲何事故而入此路，有何異術，能製諸毒。」

　　Hearing that, the confused travelers realized they were on a dangerous path and turned back, attempting to escape.

　　"The kind guide then told them to join hands, led them off the dangerous path, and helped them avoid the deadly peril. When they reached a safe path, the travelers grew happy and at peace.

　　是迷路人忽聞是語，方知險道，即便退步，求出此路。是善知識，提攜接手，引出險道，免諸惡毒。至於好道，令得安樂。

　　Their mentor then said to them. ”Take care, confused ones, never to go back into that road again. Once on it, it is hard to get off; it can destroy a person”s very nature and life.”

　　而語之言：「咄哉迷人，自今以後，勿履是道。此路入者，卒難得出，複損性命。」

　　The travelers who had been confused expressed their deep gratitude and as they were about to part the mentor said to them, ”If you see any other travelers, whether you know them personally or not, be they men or women, tell them that the poisons and evils on that path could harm their natures and lives. Do not allow them to unwittingly bring about their own deaths.”

　　是迷路人亦生感重。臨別之時，知識又言：「若見親知及諸路人，若男若女，言於此路多諸毒惡，喪失性命。無令是衆自取其死。」』

　　In the same way, Earth Store Bodhisattva, replete with great compassion, rescues beings who are suffering for their offenses and enables them to be born among humans and gods where they enjoy wonderful bliss.

　　 『是故地藏菩薩俱大慈悲，救拔罪苦衆生，生人天中，令受妙樂。

　　"Once those offenders obtain release from the suffering they experienced in the paths where their karma took them, they should never go down those roads again.

　　They are like the lost people who mistakenly took a wrong road and were lead off it by a kind mentor. They now know to never take that road again.

　　 是諸罪衆，知業道苦，脫出得離，永不再曆。如迷路, 人，誤入險道，遇善知識引接令出，永不複入。逢見他人，複勸莫入。

　　Moreover, they exhort others not to enter that road by saying, ”We took that road ourselves when we got confused, but we escaped and now we know better than to ever enter that road again. If we were to set foot on it again, we would get confused and be unable to recognize it as the dangerous path we descended into before. That being the case, we might lose our lives.”

　　The same holds true for falling into the bad destinies. Due to the powerful expedient means of Earth Store Bodhisattva, beings can be freed and can gain rebirth as humans or gods.

　　 自言因是迷故，得解脫竟，更不複入。若再履踐，猶尚迷誤，不覺舊曾所落險道，或致失命。如墮惡趣，地藏菩薩方便力故，使另解脫，生人天中。

　　If they were to then turn around and enter into the bad destinies again, then those with heavy karmic bonds might remain in the hells forever with no chance of escape."

　　旋又再入，若業結重，永處地獄，無解脫時。』

　　At that time the Ghost King Evil Poison placed his palms together respectfully, addressed the Buddha, and said, "World Honored One, each of us countless ghost kings of Jambudvipa bestows benefit or inflicts harm on beings differently. But our karmic retributions are such that we and our followers roam in the world doing much evil and little good.

　　 爾時惡毒鬼王合掌恭敬白佛言：『世尊，我等諸鬼王，其數無量，在閻浮提，或…

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