..续本文上一页 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!

　　 是阎浮提行善之人，临命终时，亦有百千恶道鬼神，或变作父母，乃至诸眷属，引接亡人，令落恶道。何况本造恶者。』

　　"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，如是阎浮提男子女人临命终时，神识　昧，不辨善恶，乃至眼耳更无见闻。是诸眷属，当须设大供养，转读尊经，念佛菩萨名号。如是善缘，能令亡者离诸恶道，诸魔鬼神悉皆退散。』

　　"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，一切众生临命终时，若得闻一佛名，一菩萨名，或大乘经典，一句一偈。我观如是辈人，除五无间杀害之罪，小小恶业，合堕恶趣者，寻即解脱。』

　　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，能发如是大愿，於生死中，护诸众生。若未来世中，有男子女人至生死时，汝莫退是愿，总令解脱，永得安乐。』

　　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：『愿不有虑。我毕是形，念念拥护阎浮众生，生时死时，俱得安乐。但愿诸众生於生死时，信受我语，无不解脱，获大利益。』

　　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.

　　 尔时佛告地藏菩萨：『是大鬼王主命者，已曾经百千生，作大鬼王，於生死中，拥护众生。是大士慈悲愿故，现大鬼身，实非鬼也。

　　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.

　　却後过一百七十劫，当得成佛，号曰「无相如来」，劫名「安乐」，世界名「净住」，其佛寿命不可计劫。

　　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，其事如是不可思议，所度人天亦不可限量。』

　　CHAPTER IX

　　The Names of Buddhas

　　 称佛名号品第九

　　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."

　　尔时地藏菩萨摩诃萨白佛言：『世尊，我今为未来众生演利益事，於生死中，得大利益，唯愿世尊听我说之。』

　　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,…

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