..續本文上一頁dies to take across those in the Six Paths, but their vows have an end.
Earth Store Bodhisattva has made these vows to teach and transform beings in the Six Paths throughout eons as many as the number of sand grains in hundreds of thousands of millions of Ganges Rivers.
是地藏菩薩摩诃薩，於閻浮提有大因緣。如文殊、普賢、觀音、彌勒，亦化身百千身形，度於六道，其願尚有畢竟。是地藏菩薩教化六道一切衆生，所發誓願劫數，如千百億恒河沙。』
"World Honored One, as I regard beings of the present and future, I see those who make shrines of clay, stone, bamboo, or wood and set them on pure ground in the southern part of their dwellings. They place within the shrines images of Earth Store Bodhisattva, either sculpted, painted, or made of gold, silver, copper, or iron. They then light incense, make offerings, behold, worship, and praise him.
『世尊，我觀未來及現在衆生，於所住處，於南方清潔之地，以土石竹木作其龛室，是中能塑畫，乃至金銀銅鐵，作地藏形像，燒香供養，瞻禮贊歎，是人居處，
By doing those things, such people will receive ten kinds of benefits.
即得十種利益。何等爲十？』
"What are those ten
First, their lands will be fertile.
Second, their families and homes will always be peaceful.
Third, their ancestors will be born in the heavens.
Fourth, those of the current generation will enjoy benefits and long lives.
Fifth, they will easily obtain what they want.
一者、土地豐壤； 二者、家宅永安； 叁者、先亡生天； 四者、現存益壽； 五者、所求遂意；
Sixth, they will not encounter disasters of water and fire.
Seventh, they will avoid unforeseen calamities.
Eighth, they will never have nightmares.
Ninth, they will be protected by spirits in their daily comings and goings.
Tenth, they will encounter many causes that pertain to Sagehood.
六者、無水火災； 七者、虛耗辟除； 八者、杜絕惡夢； 九者、出入神護； 十者、多遇聖因。
World Honored One, beings of the present and future who make offerings in their homes in the prescribed manner will attain benefits like those."
『世尊，未來世中，及現在衆生，若能於所住方面，作如是供養，得如是利益。』
He further said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, good men or good women in the future may keep this Sutra and an image of the Bodhisattva where they live. Further, they may recite the Sutra and make offerings to the Bodhisattva.
For those who do that, I shall constantly use my own spiritual powers to guard and protect them day and night so that nothing bad happens to them, including floods, fire, robbery and theft, major disasters, and minor accidents."
複白佛言：『世尊，未來世中，若有善男子善女人，於所住處，有此經典及菩薩像，是人更能轉讀經典，供養菩薩。我常日夜以本神力，衛護是人，乃至水火盜賊，大橫小橫，一切惡事，悉皆消滅。』
The Buddha told the Earth Spirit Firm and Stable, "There are few spirits who can match your great spiritual power. Why do I say that
"All the lands in Jambudvipa receive your protection. All the grasses, woods, sands, stones, paddy fields, hemp, bamboo, reeds, grains, rice, and gems come forth from the earth because of your power.
佛告堅牢地神：『汝大神力，諸神少及。何以故。閻浮土地，悉蒙汝護，乃至草木沙石，稻麻竹葦，谷米寶貝，從地而有，皆因汝力。
Moreover, your constant praising of the beneficial deeds of Earth Store Bodhisattva makes your meritorious virtues and spiritual penetrations hundreds of thousands of times those of ordinary earth spirits.
"If good men or good women in the future make offerings to this Bodhisattva, or recite the Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva and rely upon even a single aspect of it in their cultivation, you should use your own spiritual powers to protect them. Do not allow any disasters or unwelcome events even to be heard, much less undergone, by them.
又常稱揚地藏菩薩利益之事。汝之功德，及以神通，百倍於常分地神。若未來世中，有善男子善女人，供養菩薩，及轉讀是經，但依地藏本願經一事修行者。汝以本神力而擁護之，勿令一切災害及不如意事，辄聞於耳，何況令受。
Not only will those people be protected by you, they will also be protected by the followers of Shakra, Brahma, and other gods. Why will they receive protection from sages and worthies such as those
It will be due to their having beheld and worshipped an image of Earth Store Bodhisattva an…
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