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Ksitigarbha
The literal translation of the
Bodhisattva's Sanskrit name is "Earth-Store". The name in one sense
indicates that any undesirable or troublesome thoughts 'stored' or hidden deep
in one's mind or heart may be uncovered and released with the help of
Kishitigarbha's divine power - thereby freeing the person from their negative
influence. A less literal translation, which more accurately communicates its
complex significance to Western readers, could be to render it as
"Earth-Treasure". In this freer sense his name expresses the many
marvellous aspects of the earth and his mysterious connection with it: the earth
is vast, it supports all living beings, it is impartial, it receives the
life-giving rain, it produces trees and crops, it holds all planted seeds which
will ultimately ripen and come to fruition, it holds many treasures, it produces
medicines for suffering humanity, it is not moved by storms. And the earth too,
is in its own way a sentient being. The Kshitigarbha bodhisattva has a deep
relationship with beings of the earth – humans, and especially with the hungry
ghosts and hell beings. Because these are the most difficult to raise into a
more fortunate condition due to their previous unwholesome actions, and because
of his past vow to save them all, Kishitigarbha has been known as the Teacher of
the Dark Regions. "If I do not go to hell to help them, who else will
go?" is the famous declaration popularly attributed to Kshitigarbha. No
matter what the crime or the karma, he is willing to have a connection with any
being, and to help free them from suffering. The Sutra is fundamentally a teaching
concerning karma, graphically describing the consequences one creates by
committing undesirable actions. This is especially for the benefit of future
beings in the Dharma-Ending Age in order to help these beings avoid making the
mistakes that will cause them to be reborn in a low condition. With this
motivation, the sutra is a discourse given by the Buddha in praise of the
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha and his heroic Vow, and of the benefits one can
receive from worshipping Kishitigarbha and by reading the sutra. Presented in the form of a dialogue
between the Buddha and Kshitigarbha, the teaching takes place in a certain
heaven called Trayastrimsa, where the Buddha went so that he might repay the
kindness of his mother who dwelt there by speaking the Dharma on her behalf.
Hence, the sutra also deals with filial responsibility - not only that between
oneself and one's parents, but also in an ultimate sense of a universal code of
duty or responsibility for all living beings, all of whom a Bodhisattva regards
with the same kindness, consideration and respect that one should accord to
one's own parents. Throughout the sutra Buddha is concerned for the future beings of the Dharma-Ending Age, and trusts that through Kshitigarbha's divine power, the Bodhisattva will be able to help these beings attain liberation even during this difficult Age - which is the reason his sutra is to be revealed at this time. The Buddha ends his discourse by praising Kshitigarbha before the assembly, entrusting all future beings in the heavens and the worlds to him - proclaiming that any future person who reads the Sutra or who worships Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha will earn extraordinary merits, and ultimately, Buddhahood. The Practice of Ksitigarbha The
Practice It is good to recite daily the sutra prayer (after
the mantra) praised by Buddha to Ksitigarbha and the prayer that I have
added below. I prostrate, go for refuge, make
offerings, please grant blessing. The Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, who has
unbearable compassion for me and all sentient beings whose minds are
obscured and who are suffering, who has qualities like the sky and
liberates sentient beings from all the sufferings and gives all the
happiness. (x 3) With hands folded in
prostration, visualize doing the prostrations to all the Buddhas and
bodhisattvas; that becomes prostration when you say the word prostrate.
When you say the word refuge,
think that you are asking to be free from the two obscurations (to be able
to achieve enlightenment). When you say the word offering,
you think that all the offerings that you have are then offered. When you
ask for blessings, you think in
your mind that the whole path to enlightenment is the blessing to be
received. This is the mantra that
Ksitigarbha heard from Buddhas equaling the number of sand grains of the
river Ganga. He made offerings to them and then received this mantra. This
mantra is to be used for any difficulties, problems; it is the best one to
do for any problems in any situation. Even reciting four or five times,
just a few times, it is very powerful. It is powerful to recite or just to
think of the name of the bodhisattva. It is very, very powerful. tsimbo
tsimbo / dze tsimbo / aga ga tsimbo / bagara tsimbo / om ah bara tsimbo /
bara tsimbo / badzira tsimbo / aroga tsimbo / dehama tsimbo / tsatewa
tsimbo / sadenewa tsimbo / bewaroga sharwa tsimbo / owashama tsimbo /
nyana tsimbo / bagasama moni
ran-nga tsimbo / chana tsimbo / begimaba ria tsimbo / shashe dala maba
tsimbo / bea dahso / dama haley / dombay abbey / satasey / satabasaley /
geley / gela garaba / bara baretey / hasaley / barebey / paresata bendaney
/ benra / tsatsa tsatsa / heleneley / agata / take takelo / tare tare /
nelematey / nemtey gulemela / om gutsibatey / arregerey /
gutashamaley / dunga dunga dungurey / huru huru huru / gunodumeley /
marito / naretey / mendata / harakam rem / huru huru // Alternative mantra, which Rinpoche advised to do in
preference to the above one: tayata muni
mo re / muni
gha bhe / muni
ki li dha ye / muni
rogi ba
tza le / muni hali
de / muni gha
me shu bha
khye / mirla bhag / khe bhaa
la la
bhag khye / so
ri kirta / tor
na kir
tsa le / bha
tag sha
kir te / ku
ku la
mir le / ava
khya sa
re / er ha
ki li bha / muni bhaa
thaba soha Short
Mantra om ah kshiti garbha thlim hum (Sanskrit) om ah khyiti garbha thaleng hung (Tibetan transliteration) Praise
by Buddha to Kshitigarbha You
have generated stability of thought and pure thought (altruism / bodhicitta) and eliminated the sufferings of
immeasurable sentient beings. I see (sentient beings) receiving happiness
like the wish granting jewel, and like the vajra you cut the nets of the
doubt (of others). You offer the Destroyer, Qualified-Gone-Beyond-Ones
holy offerings with great compassionate thought and perseverance. You
liberate the sentient beings from the sufferings with oceans of wisdom.
Because you have no fear (delusions), you have gone beyond samsara. This is especially beneficial
for those who have heavy problems, serious health problems, big projects
or financial difficulties. I
will suggest it is extremely powerful to recite every day at least four or
five times or more, depending on how crucial it is also, for protection.
Even to grow crops well and to protect land and crops. It explains in the sutra the
extensive benefits and qualities, like the sky, of the Bodhisattva
Ksitigarbha, like skies of benefit to all beings. There have been
experiences, similar benefits received by those who practice Ksitigarbha. This practice was translated, compiled and checked by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
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