..續本文上一頁 hundreds of thousands of ghosts and spirits from the Evil Paths transform themselves and appear as the parents or other relatives in an attempt to lead such people to fall into the Evil Paths.

　　How much more is that the case for those who have done evil deeds!

　　 是閻浮提行善之人，臨命終時，亦有百千惡道鬼神，或變作父母，乃至諸眷屬，引接亡人，令落惡道。何況本造惡者。』

　　"World Honored One, when men or women in Jambudvipa are on the verge of death, their consciousnesses and spirits become confused and dark. They are unable to discriminate between good and evil, and their eyes and ears are unable to see or hear.

　　That is why relatives of those deceased should make generous offerings, recite the sacred Sutras, and recite the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Such good conditions can cause the deceased to leave the Evil Paths, and all the demons, ghosts, and spirits will withdraw and disperse.

　　 『世尊，如是閻浮提男子女人臨命終時，神識　昧，不辨善惡，乃至眼耳更無見聞。是諸眷屬，當須設大供養，轉讀尊經，念佛菩薩名號。如是善緣，能令亡者離諸惡道，諸魔鬼神悉皆退散。』

　　"World Honored One, if at the time of death beings of any kind have an opportunity to hear the name of one Buddha or Bodhisattva or to hear a sentence or gatha of a Mahayana Sutra, I observe that such beings can quickly be freed from the pull of their accumulated minor bad deeds that would otherwise send them to the bad paths.

　　The exception to that is crimes involving killing that warrant Fivefold Relentless Retribution."

　　 『世尊，一切衆生臨命終時，若得聞一佛名，一菩薩名，或大乘經典，一句一偈。我觀如是輩人，除五無間殺害之罪，小小惡業，合墮惡趣者，尋即解脫。』

　　The Buddha told the Ghost King Lord of Life, "Because of your great compassion, you are able to make such great vows and protect all beings in the midst of life and death.

　　When men or women in the future undergo birth and death, do not withdraw from your vow, but liberate them all so they gain eternal peace."

　　 佛告主命鬼王：『汝大慈故，能發如是大願，於生死中，護諸衆生。若未來世中，有男子女人至生死時，汝莫退是願，總令解脫，永得安樂。』

　　The ghost king told the Buddha, "Please do not be concerned. Until the end of my life I shall in every thought protect beings of Jambudvipa both at the time of birth and at the time of death, so that they all gain tranquility. I only wish that at the time of birth and of death they will believe what I say, so that they all can be liberated and gain many benefits."

　　 鬼王白佛言：『願不有慮。我畢是形，念念擁護閻浮衆生，生時死時，俱得安樂。但願諸衆生於生死時，信受我語，無不解脫，獲大利益。』

　　At that time the Buddha told Earth Store Bodhisattva, "This great Ghost King Lord of Life has already passed through hundreds of thousands of lives as a ghost king, protecting beings during both birth and death. Only because of this Great Being”s compassionate vows does he appear in the body of a ghost, for in reality he is not a ghost.

　　 爾時佛告地藏菩薩：『是大鬼王主命者，已曾經百千生，作大鬼王，於生死中，擁護衆生。是大士慈悲願故，現大鬼身，實非鬼也。

　　After one hundred seventy eons have passed, he will become a Buddha named No Appearance Thus Come One. His eon will be called Happiness, and his world will be named Pure Dwelling. That Buddha”s lifespan will be incalculable eons.

　　卻後過一百七十劫，當得成佛，號曰「無相如來」，劫名「安樂」，世界名「淨住」，其佛壽命不可計劫。

　　Earth Store, the circumstances surrounding this great ghost king are thus. They are inconceivable, and the people and gods whom he takes across are countless."

　　地藏，是大鬼王，其事如是不可思議，所度人天亦不可限量。』

　　CHAPTER IX

　　The Names of Buddhas

　　 稱佛名號品第九

　　At that time, Earth Store Bodhisattva, Mahasattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I want to discuss some practices that will be helpful to beings of the future and will enable them to gain great benefit throughout their lives and deaths. World Honored One, please hear my words."

　　爾時地藏菩薩摩诃薩白佛言：『世尊，我今爲未來衆生演利益事，於生死中，得大利益，唯願世尊聽我說之。』

　　The Buddha told Earth Store Bodhisattva, "Now with your expansive compassion you wish to discuss the inconceivable events involved in rescuing all those in the Six Paths who are suffering for their offenses. This is the right time. Speak now,…

《Earth Store Bodhisattva (地藏菩薩本願經)》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…