INTRODUCTION To the Contents Page
Poetry, metaphor
and myth can often express the most profound ethical, psychological and
spiritual insights and aspirations of a people or culture in a way that
communicates to the imagination more immediately than a literal narrative may.
The impact of these literary forms lies not only in the written word, but
resonates also on some other more subtle wavelength. Perhaps they communicate
more to the heart or the intuition than to the intellect. Whatever the reason,
great works like the Vedas and the Upanishads, the Mahabharata and
Bhagavad-Gita, the Greek myths and epic poems, the Tao Teh Ching, the Zen poems
- earth-treasures such as these have all helped to shape the
thinking of whole civilizations for hundreds or thousands of years, and thus
have influenced the histories and the destinies of the peoples who inspired and
absorbed them.
The Buddhist
sutras belong to this class of inspired world literature, giving expression as
they do to many noble truths, and with some, like the Heart Sutra, the Diamond
Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra, revealing and making known in a few words
ultimate Truth: 'Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form', 'All that we see is a
product of the Mind', 'Thou art the Buddha'. The Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha Vow
Sutra is presented here, and whether viewed literally, mythically, or perhaps
somewhere between the two, it can take its own unique place amongst the sutras -
its ever-present underlying theme expressing the great universal truths
of love, compassion and responsibility for all beings.
The Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha Vow Sutra
Was first
translated from the Sanskrit into Chinese in the 7th century A.D. T'ang
Dynasty. The English here has been faithfully translated directly from the
original archaic Chinese. In China this sutra has for hundreds of years been
one of the most well-known and popular Buddhist sutras, but compared to
such Bodhisattvas as Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri, the name Kishitigarbha
appears to be relatively unknown in the West. According to one Chinese
authority on Kishitigarbha, the reason for this obscurity lies in an ancient
prophecy foretelling that this sutra would not be known outside of China and
Tibet for 2500 years after the time of Buddha - until the Dharma-Ending
Age - our present age - which would be ready to receive and understand
it. The sutra would then be revealed and spread to distant lands. Regardless of
any mystique surrounding this explanation, the fact is that together with
Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Samantabhadra, Kishitigarbha is one of the most
revered and celebrated Bodhisattvas. Respectively they personify the four basic
Mahayana qualities of Great Compassion, Great Wisdom, Great Meritorious Deeds,
and in Kishitigarbha: the Great Vow - the vow to save all sentient
beings, including the hungry ghosts and the hell beings.
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 Earth-Treasure
Bodhisattva has a deep relationship with beings of the earth – humans, and
especially with those 'below' it - 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 Kishitigarbha. 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 karmic retribution, graphically describing
the consequences one creates for oneself 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 the motivation to help suffering
beings always in mind, 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 seemingly mythic dialogue between the Buddha and Kishitigarbha, the
teaching takes place in a certain heaven called Trayastrimsa Heaven, in front of a vast multitude of
Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, gods and ghosts. Immediately prior to his departure from
this world, Buddha manifested in Trayastrimsa Heaven so that he might repay the
kindness of his mother who dwelt there by speaking the Dharma on her behalf. So
from another aspect the sutra 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. This, together with the practice of acts
for the good of all, is the Bodhisattva's vision.
The sutra closes
as the Buddha is on the point of entering Nirvana. Throughout the sutra Buddha
is concerned for the future beings of the Dharma-Ending Age, and trusts
that through Kishitigarbha'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 Kishitigarbha 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 Kishitigarbha will earn
extraordinary merits, and ultimately, Buddhahood.
Namo
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha Mahasattva

(Links to chapters)
Chapter 1. Divine Power in Trayastrimsa Heaven
Chapter 2. Kishitigarbha Incarnated in the Assembly
Chapter 3. Observing the Karma of All Beings
Chapter 4. Beings' Karmic Retribution
Chapter 6. Admiration from the Buddha
Chapter 7. Benefits for Deceased and Existing Beings
Chapter 8. Admiration from Ghost Kings
Chapter 9. Benefits from Reciting Buddhas' Names
Chapter 10. Comparing the Merits of Making Offerings
Chapter 11. Dharma-Protection from the Earth God
Chapter 12. Benefits from Seeing and Hearing
Kishitigarbha
Chapter 13. Entrusting the Human and Heavenly Beings
CHAPTER 1
DIVINE POWER IN
TRAYASTRIMSA HEAVEN
Thus
I have heard:
At
one time, Buddha Sakyamuni appeared in Trayastrimsa Heaven to preach the Dharma
for his mother, Lady Maya. At that time, uncountable Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and
Mahasattvas from the Ten Directions went there for this instruction. All the
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas admired Buddha Sakyamuni for his ability to help all
hard and violent living beings learn how to achieve happiness and rid
themselves of distress. Every Buddha and Bodhisattva sent their envoys to
request the World-Honored One's instructions.
When
Buddha smiled, millions of bright clouds appeared. The Bright Cloud of Great
Perfect Fullness, The Bright Cloud of Great Compassion, The Bright Cloud of
Great Wisdom, The Bright Cloud of Great Prajna, The Bright Cloud of Great
Samadhi, The Bright Cloud of Great Auspiciousness, The Bright Cloud of
Great Blessing, The Bright Cloud of Great Merit, The Bright Cloud of Great
Refuge, The Bright Cloud of Great Praise and countless others. Following the
bright clouds, he also emitted many kinds of wonderful subtle sounds. The Sound
of Contribution, The Sound of Discipline, The Sound of Patience, The Sound of
Dauntless Energy, The Sound of Meditation, The Sound of Enlightened Wisdom, The
Sound of Benevolence and Compassion, The Sound of Joyous Giving, The Sound of
Release, The Sound of No-Outflows, The Sound of Wisdom, The Sound of
Great Wisdom, The Sound of the Lion's Roar, The Sound of the Great Lion's Roar,
The Sound of Thunderclouds, The Sound of Great Thunderclouds and other endless
sounds.
Uncountable
billions of heavenly beings, dragons, ghosts and gods from the Saha World and
many realms gathered together in the Palace of Trayastrimsa Heaven. They came
from the Heaven of Four Kings, the Heaven of Trayastrimsa, the Heaven of
Suyama, the Heaven of Tusita, the Heaven of Transformation Happiness, the
Heaven of Transformation Comfort, the Heaven of Brahma's Multitudes, the Heaven
of Brahma's Ministers, the Heaven of Great Brahma, the Heaven of Little Light,
the Heaven of Endless Light, the Heaven of Light and Sound, the Heaven of
Little Purity, the Heaven of Endless Purity, the Heaven of Universal Purity,
the Heaven of Blessing Birth, the Heaven of Blessing Love, the Heaven of Many
Fruit, the Heaven Without Thought, the Heaven Without Upset, the Heaven Without
Heat, the Heaven of Good Views, the Heaven of Good Manifestation, the Heaven of
Ultimate Form, the Heaven of Mahesvara, the Heaven of Neither Thought Nor Non-Thought.
Numerous gods including the God of Oceans, the God of Rivers, the God of
Streams, the God of Trees, the God of Mountains, the God of Earth, the God of
Swamps, the God of Grains, the God of Days, the God of Nights, the God of
Space, the God of Skies, the God of Food, the God of Grass and so on assembled
for this teaching. Many ghost kings from other lands and the Saha World also
joined this instruction. The Ferocious Eyes Ghost King, Drinking Blood Ghost
King, Absorbing Vitality Ghost King, Embryo Eating Ghost King, Spreading
Diseases Ghost King, Collecting Poisons Ghost King, Kind Heart Ghost King, Welfare
People Ghost King, Protecting and Respecting People Ghost King, and numerous
ghost kings all assembled together.
At that time,
Buddha Sakyamuni asked Bodhisattva Manjushri, Mahasattva, "Do you know how
many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings, dragons, ghosts and gods from
other lands and worlds are here in the Trayastrimsa Heaven for this
instruction?" Manjushri answered, "World-Honored One, even
using my divine power for thousands of aeons, I still would not be able to
calculate how many are here." Buddha Sakyamuni said to Manjushri,
"Even if I use my Buddha eye, I too cannot calculate them. These
multitudes include all whom Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha has released, is
releasing, and will release from suffering. That is, these multitudes include
all living beings who live in the past, present and future!"
Manjushri said
to Buddha, "World-Honored One, I have long cultivated good roots and
have acquired extensive and profound wisdom. So, as soon as I hear anything the
Buddha says, I understand and believe it immediately. However, other living
beings may doubt Buddha's sincere words. They might believe them temporarily
but they cannot hold the words in their hearts, and will begin to doubt them
and then to criticize them. I hope the World-Honored One can provide more
detailed information about Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, Mahasattva, and tell us
what this Bodhisattva did. What kind of vows did this Bodhisattva make that
allowed him to achieve this inconceivable thing?"
Buddha told
Manjushri, "As an analogy, it is as if in the thousands of worlds, all the
grasses, trees, bushes, straw, hemp, bamboo, reeds, mountains, stones, dust and
every object is made into the Ganges River. And each grain of sand in the
Ganges River becomes a great world. And each speck of dust in each world is
compared to an aeon. And within those aeons the specks of dust that would
accumulate would also become aeons. Increase this amount a thousand times and
this is how long Kishitigarbha has maintained the position of the Tenth Ground -
the highest ground or position that a Bodhisattva can reach. Manjushri, the
power from Bodhisattva's vow is unimaginable. In the future, if there is any
good man or good woman who hears this Bodhisattva's name, who praises, gazes at
and worships, who recites the name Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha or makes offerings
and who paints, engraves, or moulds an image of Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, he
or she will go to that area of Heaven called 'Thirty-Three Heaven', more
than one hundred times, and will never fall into the evil levels.
"Manjushri,
many aeons ago, this Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, Mahasattva, was the son of a
powerful and rich person. At that time, there was a Buddha named 'Lion-Lightning-Sprint-Vast-Tasks-Complete'
who had a very dignified appearance. The son asked what kind of vow he had made
to achieve such a dignified appearance. Buddha Lion-Sprint told the son
that if he wanted to have this appearance, he would have to relieve all living
beings from suffering and distress. So therefore, Manjushri, he made a vow:
"From now on for countless aeons, I will provide all kinds of possible
ways to relieve all beings from suffering. I will not become a Buddha until
they have all been released from pain." So, even after such a long time,
he still has not become a Buddha and is still a Bodhisattva.
"Boundless
aeons ago, there was a Buddha who lived on the earth. His name was
Enlightenment-Flower Self-Sufficient King and he had lived for
innumerable aeons. During this time of the Dharma-Image Age, there was a
girl who was born in the Brahmin caste, and because she had done so many good
deeds everybody admired and respected her. Many gods from heavens protected her
every move. However, her mother had improper beliefs and did not respect the
Triple Gems. She used many ways to convince her mother of the truth of Buddha's
teachings, but her mother died before completely accepting them. Her soul fell
into Endless Hell. This daughter knew that her mother who did not believe in
cause and effect, resulting in retribution, might have fallen into the evil
level because of her karma. To save her mother, this daughter sold all her
family possessions and properties to buy flowers and offerings for Buddha. She
went to the temple in which there was a shrine to Buddha Enlightenment-Flower
Self-Sufficient King, then contributed all her offerings.
"At the
temple, gazing at and worshipping the venerable face of Buddha Enlightenment-Flower,
this daughter spoke quietly to herself, "Buddha has complete wisdom. If
Buddha were still in this world, I would be able to ask him where my mother is.
" This daughter cried a long time and gazed tenderly at Buddha. Suddenly,
there was a voice in the sky, "Saintly woman, do not grieve too much. I am
now going to tell you where your mother is." The daughter placed both her
hands together gratefully and answered, "Who are you that has come to
comfort and relieve me of my anxiety? Since my mother passed away, I think of
her day and night. I do not know where I can go to ask about her." The
voice sounded in the sky again, "I am the Buddha you are worshipping,
Buddha Enlightenment-Flower Self-Sufficient King. I know you miss
your mother more than those ordinary beings. So I come especially to tell
you." The daughter jumped up happily after listening to the words. She
jumped so vigorously that she hurt her knees and fainted. After she had
revived, she said, "May Buddha be benevolent and compassionate. I know
that I will not live long - please tell me where my mother is. "
Buddha Enlightenment-Flower Self-Sufficient King said, "After
your offerings here, go home and meditate on my name. Then you will know where
your mother is. "
"The
daughter meditated for one day and one night. Unexpectedly, she felt that she
had arrived at a shore next to a sea with bubbling, boiling water. Many fierce
beasts with iron bodies were flying and
running back and forth above the sea. She saw many men and women who were eaten and
bitten by evil blood-thirsty animals. She saw many monstrous devils with
many hands, eyes, legs or heads. Their teeth grew out of their mouths and were
sharp as swords. The devils frightened, chased and seized criminal persons, and
twisted their heads and feet together. No one dared to willingly look at these terrifying
sights. Because the daughter was meditating on Buddha, she was not afraid of
these scenes.
"A ghost
king named Poisonless greeted this saintly woman and said, "Excellent,
Bodhisattva, why are you here?" The Brahmin daughter asked of the Ghost
King, "Where am I?" Poisonless answered, "This is the first
ocean of the western side of Big Iron-Fence Mountain. " The saintly
woman asked, "I have heard that there is a hell inside the Iron-Fence
Mountain. Is that true?" Poisonless answered, "Yes, there indeed
exists a hell." The saintly woman asked, "Why am I here?"
Poisonless answered, "Only those with either a god's power or those by
their karma come here. If it were not because of these two things, you would
not be able to come here." The saintly woman asked again, "Why does
the sea keep boiling? Why are there so many criminal persons and fierce
beasts?" Poisonless answered, "These are those beings who committed
bad actions in their past lives. If someone dies and no one arranges proper rituals
or does good deeds to relieve their suffering during the first forty nine days
after death, and he or she did not have any redeeming merits from benevolent
actions when alive, he or she will fall into this hell in accordance with his
or her own actions. On the way to hell, it is necessary to cross this sea of
suffering first. Four million miles to the east of this ocean is another one,
where the beings there suffer twice as much as in this ocean. East of this
second ocean is another with even more suffering. These areas are called the
Karma Oceans, and are caused by the three causes of karma: body, speech and
mind." The saintly woman asked the ghost king, "Where is hell?" Poisonless answered, "Among these three oceans, there is Big
Hell. This Big Hell is divided into hundreds or thousands of hells. Each
divided hell is completely different from the others. The reason why we called
this Hell 'Big' is that these hells are classified into five hundred or more
small hells. Each hell contains endless sufferings. Within these five hundred
hells, there are thousands of smaller hells which also contain boundless
sufferings.
"The
saintly woman asked the ghost king again, "My mother recently died, and I
wonder where her soul has gone. The ghost king asked the saintly woman,
"Bodhisattva, what did your mother do when she was alive?" She
answered, "My mother had improper beliefs and disrespected the Triple
Gems. At one time she believed, and then soon after again fell into disrespect.
Poisonless asked, "Bodhisattva, what is your mother's name?" The
saintly woman responded, "Both my parents are of the Brahmin caste. My
father's name is Sila Sudarshan, my mother's is Yueh Tili. - Poisonless
placed both hands together and told Bodhisattva, "Please saintly woman,
return home and do not be sad. The
criminal woman Yueh Tili ascended to heaven three days ago. It is said she was
saved by the filial piety of her daughter who made offerings at the temple of
Buddha Enlightenment-Flower Self Sufficient King For the purpose of saving her
mother. Not (only was your mother released from hell, but also as a result
those other criminal persons in Endless Hell have been reborn."
After the ghost king had
finished speaking, he placed both his hands together in respect and withdrew.
"Within a short time,
the Brahmin daughter woke up as if from a dream. Realizing the truth, she faced
the statue of Buddha Enlightenment-Flower Self Sufficient King and vowed,
"May I use the future aeons to establish as many possible ways as I can in
order to release from pain all beings who are suffering from their criminal
behavior.
Buddha told
Manjushri, "The ghost king, Poisonless, is actually a Bodhisattva named
Wealthy Leader now. And the Brahmin daughter is the Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha.
"

KISHITIGARBHA INCARNATED
IN THE ASSEMBLY
At that time,
millions of divinely incarnated forms of Kishitigarbha from inconceivable, uncountable
and unutterable worlds and hells came together to Trayastrimsa Heaven Palace.
Buddha used his divine power to lead all Bodhisattvas from all worlds, and all
those beings released from the hells to come here. Everybody brought flowers to
Buddha. These multitudes were those beings whom Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha had
instructed, and who would never regress from Buddha's wisdom. For many aeons,
they had floated throughout life and death, suffering in the six levels, with
no time to rest. Because of Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha's benevolence and
compassion, and his great vow, all had attained a certain level of spiritual
development. They came happily to Trayastrimsa and reverently gazed at Buddha.
At that time,
World-Honored One stretched out his golden arms and touched all the
incarnated heads of Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, Mahasattva. He said, "I
cultivate those hard and violent living beings in the world and in the human
condition, subduing their hearts. I hope they can renounce evil and do good
deeds. However, one or two-tenths of them still have evil habits. I
incarnate myself into billions of forms, and use many convenient ways to save
them from suffering. Some of them are very receptive; they believe and practice
the Dharma as soon as they hear it. Some of them who have done a few good deeds
can become better after I patiently teach and guide them. Some of them are dark
and dull - it takes a long time to cultivate them before they will take
refuge in the Dharma. Some of them who have heavy karma do not even respect the
Triple Gems at all.
"Since such
beings have many distinct characters, I always incarnate myself to deliver them
from pain and suffering. In order to help them, I incarnate myself in the
mountain, forest, stream, plain, river, pond, fountain or well. I show myself
not only in the image of Buddha but also in the image of man, woman, heavenly
being, dragon, ghost or god. In order to benefit them, I also show myself as an
emperor king, Brahma King, Wheel-Turning King, layman, country's king, prime
minister, government official, monk, nun, Sound-Hearer, Arhan,
Pratyekabuddha or Bodhisattva.
"You,
Kishitigarbha, have observed that I have diligently worked for a long time to
release hard and obstinate suffering criminal beings. As for those who have not
improved, if they fall into evil or suffer from past karma retribution, you
should remember what I gently taught and repeated to you in Trayastrimsa Heaven
Palace - that is, to release all those beings in the Saha World, until
the coming of Maitreya, from suffering forever; and to encounter Buddhas and
receive the Dharma. "
At that time,
all the incarnated forms of Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha from many worlds gathered
into a single form and said to Buddha tearfully, "I have been instructed
by Buddha for long aeons. I have gained inconceivable divine power and wisdom.
The boundless worlds are filled with my incarnations. In order to make them
take refuge in and respect the Three Treasures, to escape from life and death
forever, and achieve Nirvana's bliss, I have incarnated billions of bodies in
every world. Every one I have incarnated has taught hundreds, thousands or
billions of people. Even if their good deeds within the Buddhadharma are as
little as a hair, a drop, a grain of sand, or a speck of dust, I will gradually
save them and make them gain great benefits. Please World-Honored One, do
not be concerned for those beings in the future." Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha said to Buddha three times, "Please World-Honored One,
do not be concerned for future beings with bad karma."
Buddha then
praised Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha and said, "Very good, very good. I am
pleased that you have made such a vow. You will achieve your vow and after all
have been cultivated and instructed you will attain Bodhi.

OBSERVING THE
KARMA
OF ALL BEINGS
Buddha
Sakyamuni's mother, Lady Maya, reverently placed both her hands together and
asked Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, "Saintly One, those beings of the worlds
have different karma. What kind of retribution do they deserve?"
Kishitigarbha answered, "Some of the infinite lands have hells, the others
do not. Some lands have women, the others do not. Some lands have the
Buddhadharma, the others do not. Some lands have Sound-Hearers and
Pratyekabuddhas, the others do not. The hells do not all have the same
retributions." Lady Maya asked Bodhisattva, "I would like to know
what retributions the beings in the worlds will receive." Kishitigarbha
replied, "Saintly mother, please listen and I will give you a general
explanation." Buddha's mother said, "Saintly One, please tell
me."
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha told the saintly mother, "The criminal
retributions are as follows: Anyone who is not filial or does not respect his
parents, or anyone who kills or hurts his parents will fall into Endless Hell
for an indefinite period of time. Anyone who hurts or injures Buddha, slanders
the Three Treasures or disrespects the sutra, will fall into Endless Hell for
an indefinite period of time. Anyone who damages or steals from the temple,
makes a monk or nun disobey the rules, practices sexual acts in a temple or
kills people, will fall into Endless Hell for an indefinite period of time.
Anyone who pretends to be a monk or a nun but fails to keep the rules of Buddha
in his or her heart, wastes objects in a temple, cheats a follower of Buddha or
goes against the Buddha's disciplines, will fall into Endless Hell for an
indefinite period of time. Anyone who steals money, food, clothing or takes
anything from the temple without permission, will fall into Endless Hell for an
indefinite period of time." Kishitigarbha continued, "Those beings
who commit such crimes will fall into Endless Hell. It is also impossible to
ask for a momentary pause from these
sufferings.”
Lady Maya asked
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha again, "Why are those hells called
'Endless'?" Kishitigarbha replied, "Saintly mother, there are
eighteen big hells, then five hundred major hells which have different names
and thousands of secondary hells with different names, too. All hells are
within the Iron-Fence Mountain. Endless Hell is eighty thousand miles in
circumference, ten thousand miles high, and the buildings and walls around it
are made of iron. The hell is surrounded by a wall of flames making it
impossible to escape. Within this hell, many secondary hells are connected
together and they also have different names. There is just one hell here which
is properly named 'Endless'. This hell is made of solid iron, is eighteen
thousand miles in circumference and its wall is one thousand miles high. Below
and above is all burning fire. There are iron snakes and dogs chasing and
breathing out fire along the wall. Inside this hell is a bed that extends for
ten thousand miles or more. One suffering here can see himself lying on that
bed. And when thousands of people are suffering there, they each would see
themselves lying on that bed, too. These are retributions for the bad karma
caused by the offenders.
"Furthermore, many criminal people suffer from all kinds of pain.
The sufferings are as follows: There are several hundred or thousand skeletons
and evil ghosts with sword-like teeth and lightning-like eyes
dragging criminal people by copper claws. One kind of skeleton has hands like
big iron spears that shoot through bodies, mouths, noses, bellies or backs.
They throw criminal people back and forth through the air. Some skeletons put
criminal people on the bed and let iron eagles peck at their eyes or iron
snakes twist their necks. Nails are driven into their joints, and their tongues
pulled out and ploughed through; their intestines are drawn and cut out. They
are forced to drink molten copper and hot iron is used to brand them. These
karmic retributions are for thousands of lives and are all caused by the beings
themselves. Having been through so much pain, they are still unable to leave
the hells. Even though the hell has come to an end or has decayed, they will be
conveyed to another hell. When the
former hell has also decayed,
they will be sent back yet again. These are the karmic retributions proceeding
in Endless Hell.
"This is a
hell that is basically established for these five kinds of karmic retributions,
so it is called Endless Hell. The reasons why it is called Endless Hell are:
First, suffering continues day and night, and there is no end. Therefore, it is
called Endless Hell. Second, no matter how many people are there, either one or
a great many, the hell is always full. Therefore, it is called Endless Hell.
Third, the pains they suffer are without end. They use a variety of implements
such as forks, sticks, eagles, snakes, wolves and dogs, mills, saws and files
that pierce, pound, grind, saw and chop. Large pots, iron nets and ropes, iron
horses and donkeys, and molten iron are used to boil and flay one alive, bind,
and pour molten iron over one's body. When they are hungry and thirsty, they
are forced to swallow iron pellets and drink iron fluid. These sufferings will
continue for countless years. Therefore, it is called Endless Hell. Fourth,
regardless of race, sex, age, wealth, or whether dragons or gods, heavenly
beings or ghosts, if any of them have karmic retributions caused by criminal
behavior, they will all suffer together. Fifth, anyone in hell will pass
through many lives every day and night. It is impossible to rest even for a
moment. They will never be reborn as human beings until all karma has come to
an end. Because of this never-ending life and death, it is called Endless
Hell."
Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha told saintly mother, "I have described Endless Hell in
general. If you want me to explain everything in detail about Endless Hell, I
could not finish in one aeon." After listening to Kishitigarbha's words,
Lady Maya sorrowfully placed both her hands together, bowed in worship, then
withdrew.

BEINGS'
KARMIC RETRIBUTION
At that time,
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, Mahasattva, said to Buddha, "World-Honored
One, relying upon your divine power, I am able to transform myself into many
forms to save all beings in billions of worlds from their karmic retribution.
If it were not for your benevolent power, I would not be able to transform
myself. Now I am again bidden by Buddha to relieve those beings in the six
levels. Yes, World-Honored One, please do not be concerned.
At that time,
Buddha Sakyamuni told Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, "Those beings who have
not been liberated are very unstable. Bad habits cause karma, good habits cause
good fruit, and whether habits are good or bad, beings are all influenced by
environment. They transmigrate within the five levels like a wheel turning
without stopping. They have been through many hardships for aeons. Like a fish
swimming into a net and thinking that it is in a flowing stream, when the fish
breaks out from the net, it becomes trapped again. Such beings are what I am
always anxious about. But now, you are going to accomplish your vow to help the
criminal people. So I have no need for concern."
When Buddha
spoke these words in the meeting, a Bodhisattva, Mahasattva, named Self-Existent
King asked, "World-Honored One, what vow makes the Buddha praise
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha so much? Please World-Honored One tell
us." Buddha answered Bodhisattva Self-Existent King, "Listen,
listen, and think of what I am about to say. Many aeons ago, there was a Buddha
named ‘All-Knowledge-
Accomplished One’. This Buddha is worshipped by heavenly beings and people. He
has wisdom and is perfect in clarity and conduct. He can be released from life
and death. He is omniscient and acts as an advocate and mediator. He is the
highest sage and the greatest instructor of heaven and people. That is why this
Buddha is respected by heavens and people. The lifespan of this Buddha is sixty
thousand aeons. He was a king of a small country before he became a
monk. While he was a king, he had a good friend who was also a king of a
neighboring country. They both cultivated themselves by doing ten good deeds to
help others. The citizens of their countries used to commit many evil acts, so
the two kings decided to set up possible ways to help people to give up evil
and return to virtue. One king made a vow that he may soon become a Buddha to
help all beings. The other king made a different vow, saying that he would
never become a Buddha unless all beings suffering from their criminal acts were
saved and gained peace and happiness, and attained Bodhi.
Buddha Sakyamuni
told Bodhisattva Self-Existent King, "The king who wished to become
a Buddha first is Buddha All-Knowledge Accomplished. The other king who
wished to help people but refused to become a Buddha first is the Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha.
"Moreover,
long and infinite aeons ago, Buddha Pure-Lotus-Eyes came into the
world. This Buddha's lifespan is forty aeons. The immortal Buddha, Pure-Lotus-Eyes
existed during the Dharma-Image Age - at the time when images were
used for worship. There was an arhan who instructed many people little by
little with his fortunate merits. This arhan met a woman, Bright Eyes, who
prepared sacrificial offerings for him. The arhan asked her what she wanted.
Bright Eyes answered, "I have prayed and given offerings in memory of my
mother since the day she died. I wish to know where my mother is now." The
arhan felt compassion for Bright Eyes. He meditated and saw that her mother had
fallen into an evil level and had suffered great pain.
The arhan asked
Bright Eyes, "What did your mother do when she was alive? She is now
suffering in hell." Bright Eyes answered, "My mother loved eating
fish, especially baby fish. She fried or boiled thousands of baby fish,
willfully, as she pleased. Please noble one be merciful and help my mother.
" The arhan felt compassion for her and advised Bright Eyes,
"Reverently recite the name of Buddha Pure-Lotus-Eyes and draw
an image of him to benefit all those beings either living or dead."
So Bright Eyes
sold all her favorite things as soon as she heard the arhan's instructions.
Then she asked a painter to draw the Buddha's portrait. She gave offerings in
sacrifice, and with a reverent heart sorrowfully wept as she worshipped the
Buddha. Unexpectedly one night, as if in a dream, she saw a Buddha who was as
tall as Mount Sumeru, emitting bright and shining light. This Buddha told
Bright Eyes, "Your mother will be soon reborn in your house. She will be
able to speak soon after she feels hunger and cold.
After some time,
a maidservant of Bright Eyes family bore a baby. This baby could speak three
days after her birth. Bowing her head and crying, she told Bright Eyes,
"One has to suffer the consequences and retributions of one's own doing
throughout life and death. I was your mother. I stayed in hell for a long time.
Since we parted, I have fallen into hell several times. Because of you, I am
born here as a servant. But I will die early; I will only live until I am
thirteen years old. After I die, I will fall into an evil level again. Do you
have any way to relieve me from these sufferings?" After listening to the
words of the servant's baby, Bright Eyes realized this baby was her mother. She
asked her sorrowfully, and with tears, "When you were my mother, do you
know what you did to make you fall into an evil level?" The baby answered,
"I am suffering this retribution due to the karma of killing and slandering.
If it were not for you saving me from suffering, I would not be released from
such karma." Bright Eyes asked about the situation in hell and the baby
answered, "It was so horrible that I dare not remind myself of it again.
And the sufferings there cannot be stated even in thousands of years."
Bright Eyes wept
and wailed after listening to the baby's statement. She swore into empty space,
"May my mother leave hell forever and not fall into evil again after her
thirteen years on earth. Please all Buddhas from the Ten Directions have mercy
upon me; listen to my solemn pledge for my mother. If my mother can leave the
three evil levels forever, and does not take any humble position or ever be
born as a woman, I vow, in front of Buddha Pure-Lotus-Eyes that
from now on I will save and work towards cultivating all beings in all worlds,
hells and evil levels out of suffering. I do not want to become a Buddha until
all of them become Buddhas. "
Bright Eyes then clearly
heard Buddha Pure-Lotus-Eyes who told her, "Bright Eyes, you have
great benevolence and compassion to make such a great vow for your mother.
After your mother finishes thirteen years' retribution, she will be born into
the Brahmin class for one hundred years. In her next life, she will again be
born into the Land of No Concern for uncountable aeons. Then, she will become a
Buddha to help to cross over as many human and heavenly beings as there are
sands in the Ganges.
Buddha told
Bodhisattva Self-Existent King, "The arhan who helped Bright Eyes at
that time is now the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible-Intention. The mother of
Bright Eyes is the Bodhisattva Liberation. And Bright Eyes herself is now the
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha. Throughout many aeons, Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha has
crossed over all beings by his benevolence and compassion. He has made as many
vows to rescue living beings as there are grains of sand in the Ganges.
"In the
future, if any man or woman does not do good deeds, does bad deeds, does not
believe in cause and effect, is licentious, uses false and reckless speech, who
quarrels a lot, or slanders the Mahayana, such people who create this karma
must certainly fall into the three evil levels after they die. However, if one
meets a wise person who even in the time it takes to snap the fingers, and who
guides him to take refuge in Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, he will be pardoned for
the retributions in the three evil levels. If he can respect with all his
heart, gaze at, worship and praise, offer fragrant flowers, clothing, food or
various kinds of jewellery and valuables to Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha he will
enjoy the most wonderful happiness and welfare in heavens for boundless time in
the future. Even if his welfare in the heavens has come to an end, he can be
born as an emperor for hundreds or thousands of aeons. And he can also remember
what happened in his previous life. Bodhisattva Self-Existent King,
Kishitigarbha has such a great divine power that will benefit all beings. You,
Bodhisattva, keep the sutra in mind and proclaim it extensively."
Bodhisattva Self-Existent
King answered Buddha, "World-Honored One, please do not be
concerned. Billions of Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas here will certainly
proclaim this sutra around the worlds, and with Buddha's divine power, help all
beings." Bodhisattva Self-Existent King placed both his hands
together reverently, bowed and knelt in worship, and withdrew after finishing
his statements.
At that time,
the Four Heavenly Kings from the east, west, south and north rose from their
own seats, placed both their hands together respectfully and asked Buddha,
"World-Honored One, a long time ago Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha made a
great vow. Why are there still many who have not yet crossed over? Now, he
again makes another vow. Please, World-Honored One, explain it to
us." Buddha told the four kings, "Excellent, excellent. Now, for your
benefit and for the advantage of all beings from heavens and worlds now and in
the future, I am going to explain how Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha benevolently
helps all beings suffering from their crimes in both life and death in the Saha
World, and all the possible ways he uses." The Four Heavenly Kings said,
"Yes, World-Honored One, we would like to know."
Buddha told the
Four Heavenly Kings, "Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha has helped and released
all those beings from long time past to now, but he still has not completed his
great vow. He has great benevolence and compassion for the suffering beings of
this world. Because he observes that the causes of the beings' karma and their retribution are like grass that creep and spread fast, he
again takes another strong vow. Therefore, Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha shows
billions of convenient ways to help and cultivate all beings in the Saha World.
"Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades those who kill any creature not to kill, otherwise they
will die young. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those who steal things or
rob people not to steal or rob, otherwise they will be poor and receive a hard
lot. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those licentious people to give up
lustful behavior, otherwise they will be born as birds in future lives.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those people who have abusive tongues not
to speak bad language, otherwise their own relatives will fight with one another.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those who are fond of slandering others not
to libel anyone, otherwise in their future lives they will become mutes or
their mouths will ulcerate.
"Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people with hateful hearts not to hate or be angry with
anybody, otherwise in their future lives they will be ugly and crippled.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades mean people to be generous, otherwise their
wishes will be never fulfilled. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those people
who drink and eat without limitation to control themselves, otherwise they will
suffer pain from hunger and thirst and throat diseases. Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades those who go hunting willfully to stop hunting,
otherwise they will die in terror. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades those
who are mean to their own parents to show filial piety or devotion to them,
otherwise they will die in natural disasters.
"Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades those who set fires on mountains, forest or woods never
to do that again, otherwise they will die in insanity and confusion.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades step-parents not to torture their
step-children, otherwise in their future lives they will be lashed.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades people not to catch fish and birds,
otherwise they will lose their own children. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha
persuades people not to slander the Three Treasures, otherwise they will become
deaf, blind or mute in their future lives. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades
people not to disrespect the Dharma, otherwise they will fall into evil levels
forever.
"Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people not to destroy anything in the temple, otherwise
they will transmigrate among the hells for an endless time. Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people not to insult or falsely accuse monks or nuns,
otherwise they will be animals forever in their future lives. Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people not to hurt living beings with boiling water,
fire or sharp knives, otherwise they will suffer the same pain as they did to
others. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades monks or nuns not to break the
Sangha's rules, otherwise in their future lives they will be animals and they
will suffer hungry retributions. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades people not
to ruin objects without any reason or use anything which does not belong to
them without permission, otherwise they will never obtain what they want.
"Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people not to be proud, otherwise they will be born in
low positions and be enslaved by others. Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha persuades
people not to stir up or incite trouble between people, otherwise they will
have no tongue or hundreds of tongues as their retribution. Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha persuades people not to argue irrationally or disobey the right
way, otherwise they will be born in a barbarous frontier.
"The
retributions that I have described in general are what those beings of the worlds cause by their own behavior, language and consciousness. Because of their
different karmas, Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha uses many kinds of convenient ways
to help and cultivate them. After those beings have finished such retributions,
they still will fall into hell and there will be no way out for aeons.
Therefore, you should protect these living beings and their lands. Do not allow
those beings who are confused by their own karma to create more karma. "
After listening
to Buddha's exhortations, the Four Heavenly Kings sighed, and with tears in
their eyes, placed their hands together, and withdrew.

NAMES
OF THE HELLS
At that time,
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Mahasattva, said to Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha,
"Merciful One, would you please explain for the gods, dragons and the Four
Heavenly Kings and all beings living in the future and in the present: where
all those beings of the Saha World are suffering from their criminal pain, the
names of the hells, and the conditions? These answers will let those beings in
the future time of the Dharma-Ending Age know of the retributions
undergone by the beings of the Saha World. "
Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha answered, "Merciful One, now, receiving Buddha's divine
power and the Mahasattva's power, I will explain in general the names of the
hells and the situations of the retributions. Merciful One, east of this world
there is a dark Iron-Fence Mountain. This mountain is black and deep and
has neither sunlight nor moonlight. Within the mountain there is a large hell
called Infinite Hell. In this Infinite Hell is another hell named Great Arbi.
In this Great Arbi Hell, there are many small hells as follows:
"Four-Cornered
Hell, Flying Knife Hell, Flaming Arrow Hell, Crushing Mountains Hell, Piercing
Spear Hell, Iron Cart Hell, Iron Bed Hell, Iron Ox Hell, Iron Clothing Hell,
Thousand Blades Hell, Iron Donkey Hell, Molten Copper Hell, Holding-Pillar
Hell, Flying Fire Hell, Ploughing Tongue Hell, Chopping Head Hell, Burning Leg
Hell, Pecking Eye Hell, Iron Pellet Hell, Fighting Hell, Iron Axe Hell, Much
Anger Hell."
Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha said, "Merciful One, such is the unlimited number of hells
within the Iron-Fence. In addition, there is the Screaming Hell, Pulling
Tongue Hell, Excrement and Urine Hell, Copper Lock Hell, Fire Elephant Hell,
Fire Dog Hell, Fire Horse Hell, Fire Ox Hell, Fire Mountain Hell, Fire Stone
Hell, Fire Bed Hell, Fire Beam Hell, Fire Eagle Hell, Sawing Teeth Hell,
Stripping Skin Hell, Drinking Blood Hell, Burning Hand Hell, Burning Leg Hell,
Hanging Thorns Hell, Fire House Hell, Iron House Hell and Fire Wolf Hell.
Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha said, "Merciful One, in the Iron-Fence
Mountain, there are infinite hells as such. In these hells, there are many
small hells with many more different names. One, two, three, four hundred or
thousand small hells, and they also have different names. "
Bodhisattva
Kishitigarbha told Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, "Merciful One, these hells
are created by the people themselves who commit these malefactions in all the
worlds. The power of karma is so great as to be compared with Mount Sumeru and
as deep as the immense ocean. The power of karma can also block the way of Buddhadharma. Therefore, do not ignore a minor evil and think that it is
guiltless. There is retribution after one dies, even as small as a hair or
fibre, and this must be taken. Even the closest relatives, like father and son,
have a different road. Even meeting, they cannot substitute their retribution
for each other. Now, relying on Buddha's divine power, I will give a general
explanation of the situation in hell. Please Merciful One listen to me. "
Bodhisattva
Samantabhadra answered, "For a long time, I have known of the retributions
of the three evil levels. I hope the Merciful One speaks so that all beings who
do evil acts in the future time of the Dharma-Ending Age rely on and take
refuge in the Buddha."
Kishitigarbha
said, "Merciful One, the following are the retributions of hells: There is
a hell which pulls out a criminal person's tongue and ploughs it with an ox.
There is a hell where a mean devil takes out the criminal person's heart and
eats it. There is a hell where they cook criminal peoples' bodies in a big
cauldron. There is a hell which burns copper pillars and makes criminal persons
hold them. There is a hell which uses fire to burn criminal people. There is a
hell which is always frozen and icy. There is a hell of endless excrement and
urine. There is a hell of flying maces. There is a hell that is full of fire spears.
There is a hell in which one's chest or back are beaten. There is a hell where
only hands or legs are burned. There is a hell where iron snakes twist and coil
around one. There is a hell where iron dogs chase. There is a hell where all
ride on iron donkeys.
"Merciful
One, such retributions in every hell use hundreds or thousands of instruments
of Karma's Way. Those instruments are made of copper, iron, stone or fire. The
four materials are caused by the heavy karma of beings. It is nearly impossible
to explain all the situations in all hells, because there are hundreds or
thousands of sufferings in each and every hell. Now, relying on the divine
power of Buddha, I have replied to the request from the Merciful One, and I
have only explained in general. Even to the end of aeons, there is no end to
explaining all the hells in detail."

ADMIRATION FROM THE
BUDDHA
At that time,
the World-Honored One emitted bright lights from his body, illuminating
the millions of worlds in which Buddhas lived. Buddha Sakyamuni pronounced in a
loud voice, informing all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, in every world, the
heavenly beings, dragons, ghosts and gods, humans and non-humans,
"Today, listen to me as I glorify Bodhisattva Kishitigarbha, Mahasattva.
He shows inconceivable, benevolent, and compassionate divine power to help and
protect the suffering. After I reach Nirvana, all of you Bodhisattvas, heavenly
beings, dragons, ghosts and gods should employ every possible way to protect
this sutra in order to allow all beings to obtain Nirvana's happiness. "