Chapter 4 The Karmic Retributions to the Sentient Beings’ Actions in Jambudvipa
“At that time, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, ‘World Honored One, [only] through the Tathagata’s Divine power am I able to manifest my emanations in trillions of worlds to rescue all suffering sentient beings. If it were not for the power of the Tathagata’s great compassion, I would be unable to perform such transformations. Now, I have been entrusted by the Buddha to deliver and liberate all sentient beings in the six realms of samsara until Ajita (Maitreya) achieves Buddhahood. World Honored One, do not worry [about their deliverance, I shall faithfully perform the entrusted task].’
At that time, the Buddha told Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, ‘The natures and consciousness of all sentient beings who have not yet been liberated are capricious. Their evil habits [lead them to] generate negative karma while their virtuous habits [lead them to] produce good karma. Whether they do good or ill is dependent on the circumstances which they face as they revolve in the five realms without a moment of rest. After countless kalpas as numerous as there are dust, they are still deluded by their karmic obstructions. They are like fishes entering into fishing nets after mistaking these nets for long water streams. [After long struggles], they finally escape temporarily, only to be trapped in the nets again. This [type of] sentient being concerns me the most. Yet, since you faithfully abide by your past vows, the same solemn vow that you have taken over numerous kalpas to deliver all sentient beings, what is there for me to be concern of?’
After that being said, a Bodhisattva-Mahasattva in the assembly named Samadhisvararaja said, ‘World Honored One, what solemn pledges did Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva take over the kalpas to deserve such earnest praises from the World Honored One? I wish that the World Honored One would briefly describe them.’ At that time, the World Honored One said to Samadhisvararaja Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, ‘Listen diligently and think carefully, for I will describe them.
In the past, countless asankhyeya, nayuta, inexpressible numbers of kalpas ago, there was a Buddha known as Sarvajnasiddharta Tathagata, who had the descriptive title of Arahat, Samyaksambuddha, Vidyacarana- Sampanna, Sugata, Lokavid, Anuttara, Purusa-Damyasarathi, Sastadevamanusyanam, Buddha and Bhagavan. This Buddha had a lifespan of sixty thousand kalpas.’
Before taking His monastic vows, He was the King of a small country and friends with the King of a neighboring country. Both Kings practiced the ten virtues for sentient beings’ benefits. In the neighboring country, the people often committed sinful acts. [To lead these people onto the paths to Enlightenment], these two Kings devised to provide numerous expedient means to hasten these people’s deliverance. One King took the pledge to achieve Buddhahood first in order to deliver all these people. The other King pledged to deliver all these people first. If He does not help them to find tranquility and realize Bodhi (great wisdom) first, He pledged He does not resolve to become a Buddha.’ The Buddha said to Samadhisvararaja Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, ‘The King who pledged to become a Buddha first became Sarvajnasiddharta Tathagata. The King who pledged to deliver all the sinful suffering beings and did not resolve to become a Buddha is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Additionally, in the past, immeasurable asankhyeya numbers of kalpas ago, another Buddha appeared in the world. His name was Pure-Lotus-Eyes Tathagata. This Buddha had a lifespan of forty kalpas. During the Semblance Dharma Era [of that time], there was an Arahat who delivered sentient beings by bestowing blessings and gradually leading them onto the path to Enlightenment. [One day], this Arahat met a woman named Prabhacaksuh (Bright-Eyes), who gave him food offerings.
The Arahat asked Her, “What is your wish [for providing such of offering]?” Prabhacaksuh replied, “Since the day of my mother’s passing, I have tried to earn merits on her behalf to rescue her. Yet, I do not know to which realm she has been reborn.” The Arahat took pity on Her and entered Samadhi (deep meditative state) to determine Her mother’s whereabouts. [In his meditation], he saw that Prabhacaksuh’s mother had fallen into hell experiencing severe suffering. The Arahat asked Prabhacaksuh, “What did your mother do while she was alive? She is currently in hell and in extreme suffering.”
Prabhacaksuh replied, “My mother had a habit of eating seafood. She particularly loved to eat fish fingerlings and turtle hatchlings. Whether boiled or fried, she devoured them to her heart’s delight. Counting the numbers she had consumed over her lifetime, it must number into the millions. Honored One, please have pity. How do I rescue her?”
The Arahat took pity and offered Her an expedient means. He advised Prabhacaksuh, “You should paint the image of the Pure-Lotus-Eyes Tathagata; then, faithfully and diligently recite His name. This will bring benefits for both the living and the dead.”’”
