Many people have misconceptions about the Earth Store Sutra, as most think that Earth Store Bodhisattva is only responsible for matters related to the underworld. This misconception leads them to believe that they should not recite the sutra casually as it would offend Earth Store Bodhisattva. In reality, the Earth Store Sutra is one of the well-known Buddhist sutras, and reciting it not only allows communication and resonance with Earth Store Bodhisattva to gain blessings and protection, but also provides an opportunity to deeply understand the story of Earth Store Bodhisattva, the profound filial piety it symbolizes, and what it means to Buddhism. Having said that, what are the specific benefits of reciting the Earth Store Sutra? What is the mantra of Earth Store Bodhisattva? What considerations should you have when reciting the sutra? This article will introduce these aspects one by one, helping clear some misconceptions and offering guidance on how to accumulate merits by reciting this scripture.
A Sutra of Compassionate Vows and Filial Piety
The Earth Store Sutra, also known as “The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra,” introduces the great vows made by Earth Store Bodhisattva over many lifetimes, their acts of filial piety in saving their mother, and the touching stories of how Earth Store Bodhisattva benefits sentient beings. In the sutra, Earth Store Bodhisattva personally describes hell and the various sufferings experienced by the beings there, as well as explaining ways that could liberate your loved ones suffering in hell.
What Are the Benefits and Who Should Recite It?
In the Earth Store Sutra, the Buddha expounds the following: “Anyone who sees the image of Earth Store Bodhisattva, hears or recites the Earth Store Sutra, and makes offerings, praises, and prostrations to Earth Store Bodhisattva with offerings of flowers and fruits, clothing, precious items, etc. will gain 28 kinds of merits and benefits. These include having an attractive appearance, having enough clothing and food, experiencing happiness in the family, wisdom and intelligence, health and longevity, protection from disasters, and support from heavenly beings. Reciting the sutra can also help eliminate negative karma, ensure continuous progress on the path of spiritual cultivation, and eventually attain Buddhahood.” Therefore, reciting the Earth Store Sutra regularly can help accumulate immeasurable merits and fulfill wishes, bringing auspiciousness to your lives and even lead to liberation.
The Earth Store Sutra can be recited by anyone. Reciting the sutra brings various merits and benefits mentioned by the Buddha. People who have wishes they want fulfilled should recite the sutra with utmost sincerity to have their wishes realized. Here are five groups of people who should recite the Earth Store Sutra:
1.Parents
Reciting the Earth Store Sutra for newborns can help eliminate negative karma and ensure that the child grows up in good health and safety. It is recommended to recite for infants within the first seven days of birth for their well-being.
2.Those with Deceased Relatives
At the last moment of life,, the five senses often perceive things related to the afterlife, such as conversations with ancestral spirits, enemies or creditors. As a result, the dying person may occasionally exhibit unusual behaviors, such as saying peculiar words or bursting into tears. Although relatives of the dying person cannot communicate with the other world, they can eliminate karmic burdens and accumulate merits for the dying relavite and friends by reciting the Earth Store Sutra.
Furthermore, one can also recite the Earth Store Sutra for deceased relatives and friends, as Earth Store Bodhisattva’s wish is to save all sentient beings, especially those suffering in the evil realms. Among the 28 benefits and merits mentioned in the Earth Store Sutra, one of them is “rebirth of blessings”, which means reincarnating with blessings and the enjoyment of peace and happiness. Therefore, if you wish to help your departed loved ones escape suffering, you can also offer them sincere blessings by reciting the Earth Store Sutra.
3.People with Unfavorable Luck
Reciting the Earth Store Sutra can help improve one’s luck and transform their fate by reducing the impact of negative karma and accumulating merits.
4.People with Health Issues, Sleep Problems, or Nightmares
Grandmaster JinBodhi said that the world human eyes see is just one frequency, and there are at least three more frequencies that share the human world. Under certain circumstances, some people can see or sense the presence of these other beings. For example, enemies and karmic creditors may occasionally express their grievances through dreams or illness. If such a situation occurs, reciting the Earth Store Sutra and dedicating merits and benefits to them can soothe their resentments and solve problems such as poor physical and mental conditions, poor sleep or recurring nightmares.
5.Those Seeking to Transform Their Fate and Achieve Liberation
Our fate is closely related to “cause and effect”. Buddha can look across time and space at the cycle of life and see our deeds. Therefore, through the methods guided by the Buddha, we can effectively resolve the accumulated debts and grievances of past lives. In the sutra, the Buddha states that by reciting or listening to the Earth Store Sutra we can obtain 28 benefits and merits, including protection from heavenly deities, continuous growth of good karma and blessings, abundant clothing and food, good health and longevity, peace and auspiciousness, an unwavering path of spiritual practice, and eventually attain enlightenment.
Notes for Reciting the Earth Store Sutra
Reciting the Earth Store Sutra can bring many incredible benefits, help us fulfill our wishes, accumulate merits, and accumulate the resources to become a buddha. What should we pay attention to when reciting the Earth Store Sutra? Here three aspects we should pay attention to.
1.Mentality:
Maintain a sincere and respectful attitude while reciting. This is the most crucial factor when it comes to connecting with Earth Store Bodhisattva and receiving blessings.
2.Loudness:
Louder does not mean better. Recite in a way that feels comfortable to you. If you are restricted by environmental factors, recite silently in your heart. If there are no restrictions, reciting aloud is best, so that all living beings around you who hear the sutra can benefit at the same time. When reciting for the dying, the sound should be louder to ensure that the dying person’s original consciousness can hear it.
Physical States:
Beginners often feel sleepy when reciting the Earth Store Sutra. They need to remind themselves to stay awake. They can kneel or stand, or lower the temperature slightly. Grandmaster JinBodhi once said, “As long as you sincerely practice according to the dharma, you will receive the love and care of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, building a solid foundation for advanced levels in the future.
Misconceptions
What are the taboos when reciting the Earth Store Sutra? Most of the taboos surrounding the Earth Store Sutra that are circulated or on the Internet are baseless. Here are three common myths debunked.
1.Can the Earth Store Sutra be Recited Anytime?
Many people fear that reciting the Earth Store Sutra may attract ghosts or bring bad luck due to its association with hell and spirits. However, reciting the sutra not only brings the blessings of buddhas and bodhisattvas but will also help gain the respect and protection of the spirits and deities. The sutra mentions that ghosts and spirits revere those who recite sutras sincerely or perform kind deeds. Therefore, reciting the Earth Store Sutra is an auspicious deed that can be done at any time you deem convenient.
2.The Bedroom
The environment for reciting sutras should be clean and pure. Bedrooms are primarily for sleeping and are not suitable for Buddhist practices. It’s recommended to choose a clean and quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed by others during recitation.
3.Is it still useful to recite the Earth Store Sutra for grown-up children?
No matter how old children are, they are always related to their parents by blood. Grandmaster JinBodhi said, “Even if you recite the sutra for friends and classmates who are not related to you by blood, it will be effective, so those related to us definitely benefit.”
The reason why the Earth Store Sutra is recited for newborns is because the smaller the child, the more difficult it is to keep them alive. If you recite for infants as soon as they are born, it helps to eliminate their bad karma, accumulate merits, and bless the child with health. Continue to recite for grown-up children to bless their future with success and good fortune. Therefore, there is no reason why you cannot recite the sutra for grown-up children.
What is the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s mantra? It is a simpler and easier way to learn to chant.
The transliteration of Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra is “Om Ha Ha Ha Wei San Mo Ye So Ha”. Chanting this mantra is equivalent to reciting the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra, however, the Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra is easier to learn, convenient to chant at any time, and quickly resonates with the Earth Store Bodhisattva.
As for the precautions when chanting the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Heart Mantra, refer to the three points above in “Notes for Reciting the Earth Store Sutra”. There is not much difference between the two. If you want to learn how to pronounce the syllables more accurately, you can chant along with Grandmaster JinBodhi’s chanting videos. While doing so, you will also receive Grandmaster JinBodhi’s auspicious blessing to eliminate disasters.
A Lesson with Grandmaster JinBodhi
If you wish to gain a more in-depth understanding of the complete Earth Store Sutra, you can participate in courses organized by Bodhi Meditation. Some of these courses provide in-depth explanations of the Earth Store Sutra by Grandmaster JinBodhi so that you will better understand the content of the sutra and strengthen your faith in Earth Store Bodhisattva. Studying the content of the sutra brings blessings and protection to yourself and your family, as well as helps accumulate immeasurable merits and benefits.
Download the Full Text of the Earth Store Sutra or Read It Online：Bodhi Meditation College
Purchase a Physical Copy of the Earth Store Sutra：Bodhi Meditation College
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