..續本文上一頁 so, using gentle words and sympathetic speech.

　　The blessings and benefits that such leaders and good people will accrue will be comparable to the meritorious virtues derived from giving to as many Buddhas as there are grains of sand in a hundred Ganges Rivers. Why is that

　　 是大國王等欲布施時，若能具大慈悲下心含下，親手遍布施，或使人施，軟語慰谕，是國王等所獲福利，如布施百恒河沙佛功德之力。何以故。

　　Those leaders and good people will receive such rewards of blessings and benefits for having shown a great compassionate heart toward the most impoverished and handicapped inpiduals.

　　Throughout hundreds of thousands of lives to come they will always have an abundance of the seven gems, not to mention clothing, food, and the necessities of life.

　　緣是國王等，於最貧賤輩及不完具者，發大慈心，是故福利有如此報。百生千生中，常得七寶具足，何況衣食受用。』

　　"Moreover, Earth Store, in the future the leaders of nations, Brahmans, and others may encounter Buddhist stupas, monasteries, or images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Sound-hearers, or Pratyekabuddhas and personally make offerings or give gifts to them.

　　From doing that, those leaders and good people will serve as Lord Shakra for a duration of three eons, enjoying supremely wonderful bliss.

　　If they are able to transfer the blessings and benefits of that giving and dedicate it to the Dharma Realm, then those leaders of nations and good people will reign as great Brahma Heaven kings for ten eons.

　　 複次地藏：『若未來世，有諸國王，至婆羅門等，遇佛塔寺，或佛形像，乃至菩薩聲聞辟支佛像，躬自營辦供養布施。是國王等，當得叁劫爲帝釋身，受勝妙樂。若能以此布施福利，回向法界，是大國王等，於十劫中，常爲大梵天王。』

　　"Moreover, Earth Store, in the future leaders of nations, Brahmans, and others may, upon encountering ancient Buddhist stupas and monasteries or sutras and images that are damaged, decaying, or broken, resolve to restore them.

　　Those leaders and good people may then do so themselves or encourage others, as many as hundreds of thousands of people to help and thereby establish affinities.

　　 複次地藏：『若未來世，有諸國王，至婆羅門等，遇先佛塔廟，或至經像，毀壞破落，乃能發心修補。是國王等，或自營辦，或勸他人，乃至百千人等布施結緣。

　　Those leaders and good people will become Wheel-Turning Kings for hundreds of thousands of successive lives and those who made offerings with them will be leaders of small nations for as many lives.

　　If, before the stupas or monasteries, they resolve to dedicate that merit, then, based on that limitless and unbounded reward, those leaders, good people, and their helpers will eventually all complete the path to Buddhahood.

　　是國王等，百生千生中常爲轉輪王身。如是他人同布施者，百生千生中常爲小國王身。更能於塔廟前，發回向心。如是國王乃及諸人，盡成佛道，以此果報無量無邊。』

　　"Moreover, Earth Store, in the future, leaders of nations, Brahmans, and others may have compassionate thoughts upon seeing the old, the sick, or women in child birth, and may provide them with medicinal herbs, food, drink, and bedding so as to make them peaceful and comfortable.

　　The blessings and benefits derived from doing that are quite inconceivable. For one hundred eons they will always be lords of the Pure Dwelling Heavens, for two hundred eons they will be lords in the Six Desire Heavens, and they will ultimately attain Buddhahood. They will never fall into the Evil Paths, and for hundreds of thousands of lives they will hear no sounds of suffering.

　　 複次地藏：『未來世中，有諸國王及婆羅門等，見諸老病及生産婦女，若一念間，具大慈心，布施醫藥飲食臥具，使令安樂。如是福利最不思議，一百劫中常爲淨居天主，二百劫中常爲六欲天主，畢竟成佛，永不墮惡道，乃至百千生中，耳不聞苦聲。』

　　"Moreover, Earth Store, if in the future, leaders of nations, Brahmans, and others can give in that way, they will receive limitless blessings.

　　"If they are in addition, able to dedicate that merit, be it great or small, they will ultimately attain Buddhahood. How much more easily will they be able to attain the rewards of becoming Shakra, Brahma, or a Wheel-Turning King.

　　Therefore, Earth Store, you should urge beings everywhere to learn to give in those ways.

　　 複次地藏：『未來世中，有諸國王及婆羅門等，能作如是布施，獲福無量。更能回向，不問多少，畢竟成佛，何況帝釋轉輪之報。是故地藏，普勸衆生當如是學。』

　　"Moreover, …

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