Believing in and worshipping Earth Store Bodhisattva is a common practice in Asia. Earth Store Bodhisattva is revered for rescuing his mother from her suffering in hell in one of his previous lifetimes, and for vowing to save all beings who are suffering, especially those in hell. Therefore, Earth Store Bodhisattva’s “great filial piety” and “great vow” are deeply respected by everyone. In China, Earth Store Bodhisattva, along with Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva, are collectively known as the “Four Great Bodhisattvas”.
Due to Earth Store Bodhisattva’s great vow to “not achieve Buddhahood until all sentient beings are saved and hell is empty”, he became the sole reliance of people in their pursuit of liberation in the afterlife. Let’s learn more about the Lord of the Underworld, the Earth Store Bodhisattva.
Name and Title of Earth Store Bodhisattva
Legend has it that the belief in Earth Store Bodhisattva originated from the worship of earth gods in India. After Buddhism was introduced to China, in the early Tang dynasty, Xuanzang translated the “10 Wheel Sutra”, and the worship of Earth Store Bodhisattva began to spread among the people.
The translated version of the “10 Wheel Sutra” describes Earth Store Bodhisattva as “calm and unmoving like the earth, and profound and buried deep like a hidden treasure”, hence the name Ksitigarbha, meaning that everything in the world, such as mountains, rivers, flowers, plants, birds, and beasts, all rely on the earth to survive. The sutra also states that Earth Store Bodhisattva ‘s great vow is like the earth which can steadily carry all sentient beings, and he also uses wonderful methods to help all beings achieve liberation from suffering and reach the land of ultimate illumination.
The full name of Earth Store Bodhisattva first appeared in the “Sutra on the 10 Kings”, and his great compassion and vows caught the attention of the king of the underworld and other great demon kings. Eventually, Earth Store Bodhisattva became the lord of the underworld, not only managing the interests of the human world but also placing great importance on people’s ultimate liberation after death.
Attaining Buddhahood of Earth Store Bodhisattva
How did Earth Store Bodhisattva achieve Buddhahood? What kind of vows could result in such great merit?
According to the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Fundamental Vows Sutra, in his past lives, Earth Store Bodhisattva was a Brahmin woman, a woman named “Bright Eyes”, and a king. These past lives were crucial in laying the foundation for his future as a bodhisattva.
In the year 629 AD, Earth Store Bodhisattva was born into the royal family of Silla (a kingdom in Korea), and his lay name was Jin Jeogeo. At the age of 24, he became a monk and adopted the name “Ksitigarbha”, also known as Jin Dizang in Chinese. He then spent 75 years in solitary meditation on Mount Jiuhua and passed away at the age of 99. Ksitigarbha achieved the feat of incorruptibility of his body after death, and people revered him as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
- A Girl Named “Bright Eyes”
Once upon a time, there was a kind and filial girl named Bright eyes. She served her parents with great care and thoughtfulness, but her mother did not believe in good deeds and loved to eat fish eggs, causing countless killings and leading her to suffer in hell after death. In order to save her mother from suffering, the girl sold all of her family’s possessions to do good deeds and hoped to atone for her mother’s sins. Later, her mother received the merits from these offerings and was able to leave hell and reach paradise. This filial daughter was the previous incarnation of Earth Store Bodhisattva.
- A King’s Wish
Before achieving enlightenment, Earth Store Bodhisattva was once a king of a small country. He was good friends with the king of a neighboring country. One day, the two of them made vows together. The king of the neighboring country vowed to attain buddhahood as soon as possible and liberate all beings. For Earth Store Bodhisattva, he thought to himself that if the people were not liberated from suffering, what was the point of him becoming a Buddha? As a result, the king of the neighboring country became All-knowing and All-achieving Buddha, while the king who had made the vow to become a Buddha last became Earth Store Bodhisattva.
- Earth Store Bodhisattva and Maudgalyayana
Why do Earth Store Bodhisattva and Maudgalyayana both hold a staff and have the appearance of monks?
Legend has it that because Maudgalyayana could not bear to see his mother suffering in hell, his filial piety and efforts to do good deeds moved Earth Store Bodhisattva, and thus he was able to achieve his wish of assisting Earth Store Bodhisattva. Therefore, in many Earth Store Bodhisattva temples, both Earth Store Bodhisattva and Maudgalyayana are often worshipped together. However, both figures are often depicted as monks. The way to differentiate them is that Earth Store Bodhisattva rides a buffalo, while Maudgalyayana might ride an elephant, a qilin, or a lion.
Grandmaster JinBodhi Expounding the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra
Who are the people that might fall into the Avici hell? How can one save their loved ones and ancestors from suffering and attain happiness? More Q&A about Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Vow Sutra. Let’s listen together.
Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Treasures
What are the treasures Earth Store Bodhisattva uses to liberate all beings? What do the treasures do?
- Wish-fulfilling Jewel
One of Earth Store Bodhisattva treasures is the wish-fulfilling jewel (cintā-maṇi). It is a radiating jewel that not only eliminates all diseases, pain, and disasters, but also brings great wisdom, merits, and fortune to people.
- The Great Staff
According to the Tin Staff Sutra, the staff held by Earth Store Bodhisattva is light, and it can eliminate afflictions and go beyond the three realms. Simply put, it can help people eliminate the Five Desires and the Three Poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance), gain wisdom, repel disasters, and safeguard homes. The staff also symbolizes the dignity of dharma power, being able to open the gates of hell and liberate all beings.
- The Hound – Diting
According to legend, Earth Store Bodhisattva rides a white hound named Diting, which he adopted because of the hound’s loyalty. It is a divine hound that can hear 800 miles when sitting and 3,000 miles when lying down. It understands the Buddha’s teachings and repels evil. As such, people regard the hound as a symbol of auspiciousness.
Promoting Earth Store Bodhisattva’s Great Vows
Earth Store Bodhisattva achieved enlightenment through his perfect filial piety. The founder of Bodhi Meditation, Grandmaster JinBodhi, attaches great importance to promoting the virtue of filial piety. Grandmaster JinBodhi once said, “Only when our parents are well can we be well; only when our ancestors are well can our future generations and descendants obtain good fortune and peace!”
In order to help everyone achieve their wishes for health and happiness, Grandmaster JinBodhi has, on different occasions, guided the public to make light offerings and recite sutra content for their parents and ancestors. Also, Grandmaster JinBodhi has shown his compassion by personally chanting and recording the Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra (Om Ha Ha Ha Wei San Mo Ye So Ha). This recording contains Grandmaster JinBodhi’s gratitude, respect, and admiration for Earth Store Bodhisattva.
Due to the profound karmic connection between Earth Store Bodhisattva and sentient beings, chanting the Earth Store Bodhisattva Heart Mantra with sincere devotion can bring the blessings and protection of Earth Store Bodhisattva’s great vow and energy, eliminating obstacles, increasing blessings and longevity. This practice can also help to liberate deceased loved ones from evil realms, and guide them towards a state of purity, auspiciousness, and eternity.
Conclusion
The world celebrates the Ullambana Festival (also known as the “Buddha’s Joyful Day” or “Filial Piety Day”) on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar. On this special day, let’s chant for beloved family members. Let’s send the most auspicious blessing and light to our dear fathers and mothers (past, present, and future), our ancestors, aborted fetuses, wronged relatives and creditors, and all harmed beings. May Earth Store Bodhisattva protect and bless our family and friends in this world, increase their blessings and longevity, make their lives more successful and complete, and bless all sentient beings who are destined to receive the Buddha’s illumination and be free from suffering to attain happiness.
