The Fundamental Vows of Earth Store (Ksitigarbha) Bodhisattva Sutra 地藏菩萨本愿经

The Fundamental Vows of Earth Store (Kṣitigarbha) Bodhisattva is an essential sutra in Mahayana Buddhism. It details a few past lives of Earth Store Bodhisattva and his great vows to empty the hell realms before he realised the perfect enlightenment. The sutra also describes karmic retributions and how it works and also gives many examples of the infinite different types of hells that exist due to the beings’ evil conduct. That is why we need to cultivate good and refrain from evil. The Buddha also teaches how to help the deceased gain merit and benefit.

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Johnny Yu’s English translation can be found at Wisdom Library or Seon Buddhist website www.buddhism.org.