..續本文上一頁Afterwards, joining their palms together, they should state their request and then, while facing south, prepare to drink the water. As the water is about to enter their mouths, they should be particularly sincere and solemn. After drinking the water, they should abstain from the five pungent plants, wine, meat, improper sexual activity, false speech, and all killing and harming for one to three weeks. In dreams, those good men and women may then see Earth Store Bodhisattva manifesting a boundless body and anointing the crowns of their heads with water. When they awaken, they may be endowed with keen intelligence. Upon hearing this sutra but one time, they will eternally remember it and never forget or lose a single sentence or verse.

　　“Moreover, Contemplator of the World”s Sounds Bodhisattva, in the future there may be people whose food and clothing are insufficient, who find their efforts thwarted, who endure much sickness or misfortune, whose families are not peaceful, whose relatives are scattered, who are accident-prone, or who are often startled in their sleep by dreams. Upon hearing Earth Store Bodhisattva”s name and seeing his image, such people should recite his name a full ten thousand times with extreme sincerity and respect. Those inauspicious circumstances will gradually disappear, and they will find peace and happiness. Their food and clothing will be abundant, and even in their dreams they will be peaceful and happy.

　　“Moreover, Contemplator of the World”s Sounds Bodhisattva, in the future good men or women may have to enter mountain forests, cross rivers, seas, or other large bodies of water, or take dangerous routes either for the sake of earning their own livelihood, or for public or personal affairs, matters of life and death, or other urgent business. Such people should first recite the name of Earth Store Bodhisattva a full ten thousand times. The ghosts and spirits of the lands they pass through will then guard and protect them in their walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. The peace and happiness of those people will constantly be preserved, so that even if they encounter tigers, wolves, lions, or any other harmful or poisonous creatures, they will not be harmed.”

　　The Buddha told Contemplator of the World”s Sounds Bodhisattva, “Earth Store Bodhisattva has deep affinities with beings in Jambudvipa. Hundreds of thousands of eons would not be time enough to describe the benefits derived by beings who see this Bodhisattva and hear his name. Therefore, Contemplator of the World”s Sounds Bodhisattva, you should use your spiritual powers to propagate this sutra, thus enabling beings in the Saha world to enjoy peace and happiness always, throughout hundreds of millions of eons.”

　　At that time the World-Honored One spoke verses, saying:

　　I observe that Earth Store”s awesome spiritual strength

　　Could not be described in eons numerous as Ganges sands.

　　Seeing, hearing, beholding and bowing to him even once

　　Benefits people and gods in endless numbers of ways.

　　Men and women, gods and dragons, near the end

　　Of their rewards and doomed to fall into the Evil Paths.

　　Can sincerely take refuge with this Great Being,

　　Thereby lengthening their lives and dispelling offenses.

　　Sometimes youngsters lose their kind and loving parents

　　And do not know what paths they are now on.

　　Quite often lost brothers, sisters, and other kin

　　Were never known to their surviving relatives.

　　By sculpting or painting this Bodhisattva”s image

　　And then beseeching, gazing at, and bowing to him,

　　And holding his name in mind a full three weeks,

　　Those relatives may see the Bodhisattva”s body.

　　The Bodhisattva may show them where those kin were born

　　And even quickly free those in bad destinies.

　　If those praying can sustain their initial resolve,

　　Crowns …

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