..续本文上一页令此居家无诸横病，衣食丰溢。

　　 "Universally Expansive, you should know of the beneficial deeds done by Earth Store Bodhisattva as he makes use of his indescribably many billions of great awesome spiritual powers.

　　是故普广，当知地藏菩萨有如是等不可说百千万亿大威神力，利益之事。

　　The beings of Jambudvipa have strong affinities with this Bodhisattva. If they hear the Bodhisattva”s name, see the Bodhsattva”s image, or hear but a few words, a verse, or sentence of this Sutra, then they will enjoy particularly wonderful peace and happiness in this present life.

　　Through hundreds of thousands of ten thousands of future lives, they will always be handsome or beautiful, and they will be born into honorable and wealthy families."

　　阎浮提众生，於此大士有大因缘。是诸众生，闻菩萨名，见菩萨像，乃至闻是经三字五字，或一偈一句者，现在殊妙安乐，未来之世，百千万生，常得端正，生尊贵家。』

　　Having heard the Buddha, Thus Come One, praise Earth Store Bodhisattva in that way. Universally Expansive Bodhisattva knelt, placed his palms together, and again addressed the Buddha, saying, "World Honored One, I have long known that this Bodhisattva has both inconceivable spiritual powers and mighty vows. I have questioned the Thus Come One so that beings in the future will know of these benefits. I receive this answer most respectfully.

　　尔时普广菩萨闻佛如来称扬赞叹地藏菩萨已，胡跪合掌复白佛言：『世尊，我久知是大士有如此不可思议神力，及大誓愿力，为未来众生遣知利益，故问如来，唯然顶受。』

　　World Honored One, how should this Sutra be titled and how should we propagate it

　　"

　　The Buddha said to Universally Expansive, "This Sutra has three titles:

　　the first is The Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva;

　　it is also called Earth Store”s Past Conduct; and

　　it is called Sutra of the Power of Earth Store”s Past Vows.

　　 『世尊，当何名此经，使我云何流布？』

　　佛告普广：『此经有三名： 一名 地藏本愿， 亦名 地藏本行， 亦名 地藏本誓力经。

　　Because this Bodhisattva repeatedly makes such great and mighty vows throughout long eons to benefit beings, you should all propagate this Sutra in accord with his vows."

　　After Universally Expansive had heard that, he placed his palms together respectfully, made obeisance, and withdrew.

　　缘此菩萨，久远劫来，发大重愿，利益众生，是故汝等，依愿流布。』

　　普广闻已，合掌恭敬作礼而退。

　　CHAPTER VII

　　Benefiting the Living and the Dead

　　 利益存亡品第七

　　At that time Earth Store Bodhisattva, Mahasattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I see that every single movement or stirring of thought on the part of beings of Jambudvipa is an offense. Beings tend to use up the wholesome benefits they gain; many of them end up retreating from their initial resolve. If they encounter evil conditions, they augment them with every thought.

　　They are like people trying to carry heavy rocks while walking through mud. Each step becomes more difficult and the rocks more cumbersome as their feet sink deeper. If they meet a mentor, he may be strong enough to lighten or even totally remove their burdens. Helping them thus, the mentor will urge them to step on solid ground, pointing out that once they reach a level place they should remain aware of that bad path and never traverse it again.

　　尔时地藏菩萨摩诃萨白佛言：『世尊，我观是阎浮提众生，举心动念，无非是罪。脱获善利，多退出心。若遇恶缘，念念增益。是等辈人，如履泥涂，负於重石，渐困渐重，足步深邃。若得遇善知识，替与减负，或全与负。是知识有大力故，复相扶持，劝令牢脚。若达平地，须省恶路，无再经历。』

　　"World Honored One, the bad habits of beings range from minor to major. Since all beings have such habits, their parents or relatives should create blessings for them when they are on the verge of dying in order to assist them on the road ahead.

　　 『世尊，习恶众生，从纤毫间，便至无量。是诸众生有如此习，临命终时，父母眷属，宜为设福，以资前路。

　　That may be done by hanging banners and canopies; lighting oil lamps; reciting the sacred Sutras; making offerings before the images of Buddhas or sages.

　　Another way to assist them is by reciting the names of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Pratyekabuddhas so that the recitation of each name passes by the ear of the dying one and is heard in his fundamental consciousness.

　　"Suppose the evil …

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