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English version Chapter Ten: The Merit of Virtue At that time, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva (a great Bodhisattva among Bodhisattvas), empowered by the Buddha's majestic spiritual power, rose from his seat, knelt on his right knee, and with palms joined, said to the Buddha, 'World Honored One! I observe the beings in the paths of karma, and when I compare their acts of giving, I find some are light and some are heavy: some receive blessings in one lifetime, some receive blessings in ten lifetimes, and some receive great blessings in hundreds or thousands of lifetimes. What is the reason for this? I beseech the World Honored One to explain it to me.' At that time, the Buddha said to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, 'Now, in the Trayastrimsa Heaven Palace (one of the six heavens in the desire realm, where Indra resides), before all the assembled beings, I will speak about the giving in Jambudvipa (the world we inhabit) and the comparison of the merit of these acts. You should listen attentively, and I will explain it to you.' Ksitigarbha said to the Buddha, 'I am doubtful about this matter and wish to hear your explanation.' The Buddha said to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, 'In Southern Jambudvipa (the southern part of the world we inhabit), there are kings, ministers, great elders, great Kshatriyas (one of the four major castes in ancient India, referring to the warrior class), great Brahmins (one of the four major castes in ancient India, referring to the priestly class), and others. If they encounter the poorest of the poor, or those who are crippled, mute, deaf, foolish, blind, or otherwise incomplete, and these kings and others, when they wish to give, are able to have great compassion, be humble and respectful, smile, personally give, or send others to give, and comfort them with gentle words, the blessings these kings and others receive are like the merit of giving to Buddhas as numerous as the sands of a hundred Ganges Rivers. Why is this so? Because these kings and others, towards these most poor and lowly people, and those who are incomplete, have generated great compassion, therefore the blessings are so great: in hundreds and thousands of lifetimes, they will always have the seven treasures (gold, silver, lapis lazuli, tridacna, agate, pearl, and amber) in abundance, let alone food and clothing.' 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! If in the future, there are kings, or even Brahmins, who encounter stupas or temples, or images of the Buddha, or even images of Bodhisattvas, Sravakas (those who attain enlightenment by hearing the Buddha's teachings), or Pratyekabuddhas (those who attain enlightenment on their own without a teacher), and are able to personally manage, make offerings, and give, these kings and others will be able to be the body of Indra (the lord of Trayastrimsa Heaven) for three kalpas (extremely long units of time), enjoying supreme bliss. If they are able to dedicate the merit of these acts of giving to the Dharma Realm (the universe and all its phenomena), these kings and others will be able to be the Great Brahma King (the lord of the first dhyana heaven in the form realm) for ten kalpas.' 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! If in the future, there are kings, or even Brahmins, who encounter --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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先佛塔庙，或至经像，毁坏破落，乃能发心修补。是国王等，或自营办，或劝他人，乃至百千人等，布施结缘。是国王等，百千生中，常为转轮王身。如是他人同布施者，百千生中，常为小国王身。更能于塔庙前，发回向心，如是国王，乃及诸人，尽成佛道，以此果报，无量无边。 “复次，地藏！未来世中，有诸国王，及婆罗门等，见诸老病，及生产妇女，若一念间，具大慈心，布施医药、饮食、卧具，使令安乐。如是福利，最不思议：一百劫中，常为净居天主；二百劫中，常为六欲天主；毕竟成佛，永不堕恶道，乃至百千生中，耳不闻苦声。 “复次，地藏！若未来世中，有诸国王，及婆罗门等，能作如是布施，获福无量，更能回向，不问多少，毕竟成佛，何况释梵转轮之报？是故，地藏！普劝众生，当如是学。 “复次，地藏！未来世中，若善男子、善女人，于佛法中，种少善根，毛发沙尘等许，所受福利，不可为喻。复次，地藏！未来世中，若有善男子、善女人，遇佛形像、菩萨形像、辟支佛形像、转轮王形像，布施供养，得无量福，常在人天，受胜妙乐。若能回向法界，是人福利，不可为喻。 “复次，地藏！未来世中，若有善男子、善女人，遇大乘经典，或听闻一偈一句，发殷 现代汉语译本： 如果过去的佛塔庙宇，或者佛像、经书，有毁坏破落的情况，有人能够发心去修补。无论是国王等，自己出资修缮，还是劝说他人，乃至成百上千人一起布施结缘。这些国王等，在百千世中，常常会成为转轮王（拥有统治世界的理想君主）的身份。像这样一起布施的其他人，在百千世中，常常会成为小国王的身份。如果还能在塔庙前，发起回向（将功德回向给众生）的心，这样的国王，以及所有参与的人，最终都能成就佛道，这样的果报，是无量无边的。 ‘再者，地藏（菩萨名）！未来世中，如果有国王，以及婆罗门（古印度祭司阶层）等，看到年老生病的人，以及生产的妇女，如果在一念之间，生起大慈悲心，布施医药、饮食、卧具，使他们安乐。这样的福报，是最不可思议的：一百劫（极长的时间单位）中，常常会成为净居天（色界天最高层）的天主；二百劫中，常常会成为六欲天（欲界天）的天主；最终会成就佛果，永远不会堕入恶道，乃至百千世中，耳朵都听不到痛苦的声音。 ‘再者，地藏！如果未来世中，有国王，以及婆罗门等，能够做这样的布施，获得的福报是无量的，如果还能将功德回向，无论多少，最终都能成就佛果，更何况是释（帝释天）、梵（大梵天）、转轮王（拥有统治世界的理想君主）的果报呢？所以，地藏！普遍劝告众生，应当这样学习。 ‘再者，地藏！未来世中，如果有善男子、善女人，在佛法中，种下少许善根，哪怕像毛发沙尘那样微小，所受的福报，也是无法比喻的。再者，地藏！未来世中，如果有善男子、善女人，遇到佛的形像、菩萨的形像、辟支佛（独觉）的形像、转轮王的形像，布施供养，会得到无量的福报，常常在人天（人道和天道）中，享受殊胜美妙的快乐。如果能将功德回向给法界（宇宙万法），这个人的福报，也是无法比喻的。 ‘再者，地藏！未来世中，如果有善男子、善女人，遇到大乘经典，或者听闻一偈一句，发起殷
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English version: If there are ancient pagodas and temples, or Buddha statues and scriptures, that are damaged and dilapidated, and someone is able to initiate repairs. Whether it is a king or others who personally fund the repairs, or persuade others, even hundreds or thousands of people who donate and form connections. These kings, in hundreds of thousands of lifetimes, will often become the identity of a Chakravartin (an ideal monarch who rules the world). Others who donate together like this, in hundreds of thousands of lifetimes, will often become the identity of a minor king. If they can also make a dedication (transferring merit to all beings) in front of the pagoda or temple, such kings, and all those who participate, will ultimately achieve Buddhahood, and such karmic rewards are immeasurable and boundless. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha (Bodhisattva's name)! In the future world, if there are kings, and Brahmins (ancient Indian priestly class), who see the elderly and sick, and women in childbirth, if in a single thought, they generate great compassion, and donate medicine, food, and bedding, to make them comfortable. Such blessings are most inconceivable: in a hundred kalpas (extremely long time units), they will often become the lord of the Pure Abode Heavens (the highest level of the Form Realm); in two hundred kalpas, they will often become the lord of the Six Desire Heavens (Desire Realm); they will ultimately achieve Buddhahood, and will never fall into evil paths, and even in hundreds of thousands of lifetimes, their ears will not hear the sound of suffering. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! If in the future world, there are kings, and Brahmins, who are able to make such donations, the blessings they obtain are immeasurable, and if they can also dedicate the merit, no matter how much, they will ultimately achieve Buddhahood, let alone the rewards of Sakra (Indra), Brahma (Great Brahma), and a Chakravartin (an ideal monarch who rules the world)? Therefore, Ksitigarbha! Universally advise all beings, that they should learn in this way. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! In the future world, if there are good men and good women, who plant a small amount of good roots in the Buddha Dharma, even as small as a hair or a speck of dust, the blessings they receive are beyond comparison. Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! In the future world, if there are good men and good women, who encounter the image of a Buddha, the image of a Bodhisattva, the image of a Pratyekabuddha (Solitary Buddha), or the image of a Chakravartin, and make donations and offerings, they will receive immeasurable blessings, and will often enjoy superior and wonderful happiness in the human and heavenly realms (human and heavenly paths). If they can dedicate the merit to the Dharma Realm (the universe and all phenomena), this person's blessings are also beyond comparison. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! In the future world, if there are good men and good women, who encounter Mahayana scriptures, or hear a single verse or line, and generate sincere --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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重心，赞叹恭敬，布施供养。是人获大果报，无量无边。若能回向法界，其福不可为喻。 “复次，地藏！若未来世中，有善男子、善女人，遇佛塔寺、大乘经典新者，布施供养，瞻礼赞叹，恭敬合掌；若遇故者或毁坏者，修补营理，或独发心，或劝多人同共发心。如是等辈，三十生中，常为诸小国王。檀越之人，常为轮王，还以善法，教化诸小国王。 “复次，地藏！未来世中，若有善男子、善女人，于佛法中，所种善根，或布施供养，或修补塔寺，或装理经典，乃至一毛一尘，一沙一渧。如是善事，但能回向法界，是人功德，百千生中，受上妙乐。如但回向自家眷属，或自身利益，如是之果，即三生受乐，舍一得万报。是故，地藏！布施因缘，其事如是。” 地神护法品第十一 尔时，坚牢地神白佛言：“世尊！我从昔来，瞻视顶礼无量菩萨摩诃萨，皆是大不可思议神通智慧，广度众生。是地藏菩萨摩诃萨，于诸菩萨，誓愿深重。世尊！是地藏菩萨，于阎浮提，有大因缘。如文殊、普贤、观音、弥勒，亦化百千身形，度于六道，其愿尚有毕竟。是地藏菩萨，教化六道一切众生，所发誓愿劫数，如千百亿恒河沙。 “世尊！我观未来及现在众生，于所住处，于南方清洁之地，以土石 现代汉语译本 至诚恳切地，赞美、恭敬，布施供养。这个人会获得巨大的果报，无量无边。如果能将这些功德回向给整个法界，那他的福报就无法用言语来形容了。 ‘再者，地藏！如果未来世中，有善男子、善女人，遇到新建的佛塔寺庙、大乘经典，能布施供养，瞻仰礼拜，赞美，恭敬合掌；如果遇到旧的或者毁坏的，能修缮整理，或者自己发心，或者劝说多人一同发心。这样的人，在三十世中，常常会成为各个小国的国王。而布施供养的人，常常会成为转轮圣王，再用善法教化各个小国的国王。 ‘再者，地藏！未来世中，如果有善男子、善女人，在佛法中，所种下的善根，无论是布施供养，还是修缮塔寺，还是装裱整理经典，哪怕只是一毛一尘，一沙一滴。这样的善事，只要能回向给整个法界，这个人所获得的功德，在百千世中，都会享受最美好的快乐。如果只是回向给自己的眷属，或者自身的利益，这样的果报，也能够在三世中享受快乐，舍弃一份付出，得到万倍的回报。所以，地藏！布施的因缘，就是这样的。’ 地神护法品第十一 这时，坚牢地神（守护大地的神）对佛说：‘世尊！我从过去到现在，瞻仰顶礼过无数的菩萨摩诃萨（伟大的菩萨），他们都具有不可思议的神通智慧，广度众生。而这位地藏菩萨摩诃萨，在所有菩萨中，他的誓愿最为深重。世尊！这位地藏菩萨，在阎浮提（我们所居住的这个世界）有很大的因缘。像文殊（智慧的象征）、普贤（实践的象征）、观音（慈悲的象征）、弥勒（未来的佛），他们也化现百千身形，度化六道众生，他们的愿力尚有终结的时候。而这位地藏菩萨，教化六道一切众生，所发誓愿的劫数，就像千百亿恒河沙一样多。 ‘世尊！我观察未来和现在的众生，在他们所居住的地方，在南方的清洁之地，用土石
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English version With utmost sincerity, praise, respect, and give offerings. Such a person will receive great rewards, immeasurable and boundless. If they can dedicate these merits to the entire Dharma realm, their blessings will be beyond description. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! If in the future world, there are good men and good women who encounter newly built Buddha pagodas, temples, or Mahayana scriptures, and they give offerings, pay homage, praise, and respectfully join their palms; if they encounter old or damaged ones, and they repair and restore them, either by their own initiative or by encouraging many others to join in, such beings will often be kings of small countries for thirty lifetimes. Those who give offerings will often become Wheel-Turning Kings, and they will use the good Dharma to teach the kings of the small countries. 'Furthermore, Ksitigarbha! In the future world, if there are good men and good women who, in the Buddhadharma, plant good roots, whether through giving offerings, repairing pagodas and temples, or adorning and arranging scriptures, even if it is just a hair, a speck of dust, a grain of sand, or a drop of water. Such good deeds, if they can be dedicated to the entire Dharma realm, the merits of this person will allow them to enjoy supreme bliss for hundreds and thousands of lifetimes. If they only dedicate it to their own family or for their own benefit, such a result will allow them to enjoy happiness for three lifetimes, gaining ten thousandfold in return for one offering. Therefore, Ksitigarbha! The causes and conditions of giving are like this.' Chapter Eleven: The Earth Deity's Protection of the Dharma At that time, the Earth Deity, Firm and Solid (guardian of the earth), said to the Buddha, 'World Honored One! From the past until now, I have gazed upon and bowed to countless Bodhisattva Mahasattvas (great Bodhisattvas), all of whom possess inconceivable spiritual powers and wisdom, extensively liberating sentient beings. This Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva, among all Bodhisattvas, has the deepest and most profound vows. World Honored One! This Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has great karmic connections in Jambudvipa (the world we inhabit). Like Manjushri (symbol of wisdom), Samantabhadra (symbol of practice), Avalokiteshvara (symbol of compassion), and Maitreya (the future Buddha), they also manifest hundreds and thousands of forms to liberate beings in the six realms, and their vows still have an end. But this Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, in teaching all beings in the six realms, the number of kalpas (eons) of his vows is like billions of Ganges River sands. 'World Honored One! I observe future and present beings, in the places where they dwell, in the clean southern areas, using earth and stones' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------