Kṣitigarbha Sūtra (excerpt)
Kinh Địa Tạng (trích)
Địa Tạng Bồ Tát Bản Nguyện Kinh — Phẩm 1 & hồi hướng
About this text
The Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Sūtra is a key scripture on filial piety, saving parents, ancestors, and beings in suffering. It is often recited during the Ullambana Festival, on the 30th day of the 7th lunar month (Kṣitigarbha's day), or when praying for the deceased. The Buddha's teachings in this sūtra inspire compassion, filial gratitude, and the vow to help all beings.
Preparation & offerings
Before reciting, offer incense, fruits, and pure water at the Triple Gem altar. Wear a ceremonial robe, keep a pure mind, and dedicate the recitation to parents, ancestors, and all beings.
Text
- 1
Homage to Śākyamuni Buddha! Homage to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva! (recite 3 times)
- 2
Once, the Buddha was in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, teaching the Dharma for his mother, surrounded by great Bodhisattvas, gods, dragons, and spirits.
- 3
The Buddha praised Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva for his vast and deep vows, saving all beings in the six realms, especially those suffering in hell.
- 4
The Buddha said: 'Whoever hears Kṣitigarbha's name, contemplates his image, or recites his name will gain great merit, remove obstacles, and their parents from many lifetimes will be liberated.'
- 5
Long ago, there was a Brahmin girl whose mother died and fell into a bad realm. She made sincere offerings and prayers, and thus her mother was freed from suffering.
- 6
She made a vast vow: 'I vow to save all beings suffering in hell, and will not become a Buddha until hell is empty.'
- 7
Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed: 'If even one being remains in hell, I vow not to attain Buddhahood.'
- 8
He further vowed: 'All beings suffering in the six realms, I will save them all, bringing them peace and liberation.'
- 9
Whoever sincerely recites Kṣitigarbha's name or his mantra will receive the Buddhas' protection, obstacles will be removed, and blessings will increase.
- 10
Án ha ha ha vĩ sa ma da sa bà ha
Thần chú Địa Tạng: Án ha ha ha vĩ sa ma da sa bà ha (7 lần)
Kṣitigarbha mantra: Om ha ha ha vi sa ma da sa svāhā (recite 7 times)
- 11
May the merit from this recitation benefit our living and departed parents, and all beings, so that all may be reborn in the Pure Land.
- 12
Homage to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva! Homage to Amitābha Buddha! (recite 3 times)
Source & license
Dịch nghĩa (trích) từ Hán tạng — Đại Chính Tân Tu Đại Tạng Kinh (Taishō) — do Vietnam Pagodas biên soạn bằng lời văn riêng
License: Nguyên bản Hán tạng: công hữu · Bản dịch nghĩa & bản dịch: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Vietnam Pagodas)
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