The Earth Store Bodhisattva has mostly been misunderstood as the ruler of hell and has long been associated with hell and evil spirits. In this article, we are going to answer some common questions. Who is Earth Store Bodhisattva? What is the story behind Him? What is the name of His mount? What can be gained from worshiping Him? What taboos are there when worshiping Earth Store Bodhisattva? Also, this article will share the way to recite The Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Heart Mantra and the key points of effective chanting.
About Earth Store Bodhisattva
Earth Store Bodhisattva is also known as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, which means “steadfastness as the earth, profound contemplation as hidden treasure” in Sanskrit transliteration. He once vowed not to achieve buddhahood before all hells are empty. Earth Store Bodhisattva, along with Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, is honored as one of the “Four Great Bodhisattvas” in Buddhism.
The Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra records several stories of Earth Store Bodhisattva before His enlightenment, including the lifetime in which he was a common woman who gave up all to save his mother. He also made a great vow as a king to save his people. Through countless lifetimes of accumulating great merits, he ultimately became a bodhisattva.
The Story of “Bright Eyes” Saving Her Mother
In one of his past lives, Earth Store Bodhisattva was a woman named Guangmu, which means “bright eyes.” She was very filial, but her mother, who did not believe in karma, committed sinful deeds and fell into hell after death. The girl, upon learning of this, sacrificed her beloved possessions to accumulate merits for her mother. She vowed in front of the Buddha: To ensure her mother’s eternal liberation from the three evil realms, she would save all beings suffering on the three evil paths, ensuring they were all liberated; only then would she attain buddhahood. Her mother was freed from the evil path and ultimately achieved buddhahood due to Guangmu’s meritorious deeds and great vow.
Birthday
Earth Store Bodhisattva’s birthday falls on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, while His enlightenment day is on the 30th day of the seventh month. However, according to popular custom, the last day of the seventh month is regarded as his birthday, with some religious groups holding relevant worship activities on this day.
Diting the Hound and the Earth Store Bodhisattva Thangka
The Earth Store Bodhisattva’s mount is called “Diting” or “Shanting” and is a mythical creature in Chinese mythology. According to the “Record of the Resurrected Dao Ming,” a monk once visited the underworld and saw Earth Store Bodhisattva accompanied by a golden-maned lion that could listen to the life stories of the deceased to discern their merits and sins. This lion later became known as the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s mount.
Diting is described as having a tiger’s head, the horn of a rhinoceros, a dog’s ears, a dragon’s body, a lion’s tail, and the feet of a qilin. It is believed to have the ability to discern all good and evil in the world and is considered a symbol of auspiciousness.
Forms and Appearances
According to the ancient sutras, the Earth Store Bodhisattva has many different forms. In contemporary popular belief, there are two common forms: One depicts Him as a monastic figure, while the other shows him wearing a Buddhist crown. In both forms, He holds a radiant pearl in His left hand and a staff in His right hand.
Ancient Thangka of Earth Store Bodhisattva
This thangka depicting Earth Store Bodhisattva was painted during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. It portrays Earth Store Bodhisattva sitting solemnly on a pedestal while holding a Mani pearl in His right hand, symbolizing pure and untainted wisdom. This thangka was once enshrined in a grand temple in Northern China, where it benefited countless sentient beings. Now, with the blessings of Grandmaster JinBodhi, worshipers of this thangka may attain family harmony, safety in travels, an increase in blessings and longevity, auspiciousness, and the fulfillment of wishes.
Praying and Worshiping
Earth Store Bodhisattva has vowed to save beings from hell and the three evil paths. Hence, many worship the Earth Store Bodhisattva and pray for his assistance during critical moments, such as when people are nearing death or during rituals to aid the deceased. However, Earth Store Bodhisattva can also help those who are not on the three evil paths. In The Earth Store Sutra, the Buddha told Guanyin Bodhisattva that if goodhearted people sincerely take refuge in, praise, revere, worship, or make offerings to Earth Store Bodhisattva, all their wishes and desires will be fulfilled. Below are five wishes that can be fulfilled through praying to Earth Store Bodhisattva:
1. Praying for Newborns and Mothers
The Earth Store Sutra mentions that reciting sutra or chanting the name of Earth Store Bodhisattva for a newborn helps eliminate the child’s past-life karmic obstacles. This practice can lead to the child’s peaceful and joyful growth, making them easier to care for and potentially extending their lifespan. Additionally, in Japan, the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s sacred name is synonymous with the Japanese words for “fetus” and “womb,” and as such, Earth Store Bodhisattva is considered a guardian for women and children. Therefore, one can pray to Earth Store Bodhisattva for a smooth delivery and the safety of both the mother and the newborn.
2. Praying for Loved Ones at the End of Life
Many people turn to Earth Store Bodhisattva with the intention of seeking liberation for their loved ones at the end of life. Praying sincerely to Earth Store Bodhisattva on behalf of those nearing the end can help alleviate their suffering and karmic burdens, and prevent them from falling into hell or the three evil paths.
3. Praying in the Event of Unexpected Demise of Loved Ones
In the case of sudden or self-inflicted deaths, the souls of the deceased might struggle to find liberation. If your loved ones have unfortunately met such fates or are afflicted by lingering spirits, you may recite The Earth Store Sutra or The Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra on their behalf and pray to Earth Store Bodhisattva for their liberation.
4. Praying for Resolution of Grudges and Karmic Debts
Throughout the cycles of countless lifetimes, people may have accumulated various bad karmas intentionally or unintentionally, resulting in karmic debts that manifest as tangible or intangible obstacles and stress in the present life. As such, regularly reciting The Earth Store Sutra or The Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra on behalf of our karmic creditors and those with resentments can aid in their liberation and resolve animosities, allowing the chanter to have a smoother, more auspicious life.
5. Praying for the Accumulation of Merits
Worshiping Earth Store Bodhisattva with a compassionate heart helps clear bad karma, remove obstacles, and accumulate merits for oneself. This practice not only leads to an increasingly harmonious life but also fosters compassion, elevates spiritual cultivation, and transforms one’s fate.
Communicate and connect with Earth Store Bodhisattva by reciting The Earth Store Sutra and The Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra, or by building statues of Earth Store Bodhisattva. Grandmaster JinBodhi has shared that reciting sutras helps deepen one’s understanding of moral principles and the profundity of Buddhist teachings. For beginners and busy individuals, chanting mantras offers a simpler and quicker way to accumulate merits. By making offerings to build Earth Store Bodhisattva statues, offerors will hold incredible merits, thereby eradicating negative karma and living an auspicious life; additionally, after passing away, the offerors will be shielded from hell and reborn in the Pure Land.
Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra:
Om hahaha vismaye svāhā
Chanting Reminders: How Can We Chant Effectively?
When worshiping Earth Store Bodhisattva, avoid harboring ill intentions or showing disrespect. Your attire should be clean and tidy, and you should avoid dressing too casually or immodestly. Chant with compassion and reverence. You may express your sincerity by lighting an incense stick and offering fresh fruits, flowers, or items you consider precious.
When reciting the sutra or chanting the mantra, sincerity and reverence are of paramount importance. Even if you occasionally get distracted while reciting, it is not a problem if you promptly refocus and maintain your recitation. With the accumulation of merits from your sincerity and compassion, your wishes will eventually be fulfilled, and your life shall be more blessed.
Chanting With Grandmaster JinBodhi for Blessings From Earth Store Bodhisattva
The Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra carries auspicious blessings and possesses the illuminating power to dispel darkness. Grandmaster JinBodhi chanted this mantra with compassionate intonation and created videos and audios of his chanting. Both listening to the recording and chanting along can help one to attain blessings and protection from Earth Store Bodhisattva. The chanting videos and audio recordings can be downloaded from puticollege.com for free. To learn more about reciting The Earth Store Sutra, kindly join our chanting class or download related chanting videos from Grandmaster JinBodhi’s YouTube Channel.