ksitigarbha bodhisattva

• Leogirldreamer

  20 Jul 11, 12:58

  Dawnfirstlight, this Poh Ern Shih has a very touching history. It was actually built to commemorate the Malay soldiers who died fighting against the Japanese during the invasion into Singapore. There is a map on the temple website how to go there. It is actually nestled among the private houses but once you went there one time, you would be able to find it again. Not so difficult actually.
• Amitayus48

  20 Jul 11, 14:40

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  Dawnfirstlight, the name of the Pureland is mentioned in the 地��薩 sutra. You can read and find it.

  Cui Hui Pureland.

  There are many 地��薩 followers who vowed to go there, fyi.

  Right!

  寂光者。四�净土之一也。四净土者。一�凡圣�居净土。二�方便有余净土。三�实报无障�净土。四�常寂光净土。�有净秽。唯上�寂光。为真实净土。余之净土。皆带虚设故。��应知。真净之言。�离三土。别有寂光�得。�指下三土之体。�本究竟。与寂光更无差别。故四明尊者妙宗钞云。须知四土。有横有竖。�知横竖�在一处。如�居土。趣尔一处。�是实报。若破无明。转身入者。斯是法身。�佛体用。称实妙报。则六根净人。亦莫能预。岂居二乘。此则一处竖论实报。若未破无明。�身�者。此乃诸佛�大��。为堪�者加之。令�实报土也。盖有机缘。虽未破惑。已修中观。如�严会。�诸座席。�类之机。咸�身土难�者是。实报既尔。方便寂光。横论�处。亦�如是。于�居处。论三土横竖。于方便处。论二土横竖。于实报处。论一土横竖。至寂光处。无横无竖。当处亦无。今云寂光真净。乃直标真体也。�无苦�之殊。彰离过��也。盖以四土净秽言之。于�居娑婆。则惟苦无�。清泰惟�无苦。以方便对�居言之。则�居惟苦无�。方便惟�无苦。以方便当土言之。则方便秽邦。惟苦无�。方便净土。惟�无苦。以实报对方便言之。则方便惟苦无�。实报惟�无苦。以实报当土言之。则实报秽邦。惟苦无�。?报净土。惟�无苦。若以实报对寂光言之。则实报惟苦无�。寂光惟�无苦。以寂光当土言之。则寂光秽邦。惟苦无�。寂光净土。惟�无苦。已上皆约修�。�二而二言之。故有苦�之殊。今�云。�无苦�之殊者。乃约性具�界五阴国土。惟有�界苦�圆�之性。而无�界苦�差别之相。�生佛等有真如��之体。本无净秽之殊。何有苦�之异。故此一�。科为真��二。以为下妄派�殊张本。楞严所谓性觉妙明。本觉明妙。�曰清净本然。周�法界是也。四�净土具如下释。

   

  
  

• Dawnfirstlight

  20 Jul 11, 16:50

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  Dawnfirstlight, the name of the Pureland is mentioned in the 地��薩 sutra. You can read and find it.

  Cui Hui Pureland.

  There are many 地��薩 followers who vowed to go there, fyi.

  
  I chanted the sutra many times, must have missed out or don't understand what it means. What is Cui Hui Pureland in Chinese ?

• sinweiy

  20 Jul 11, 20:25

   i never heard too, can find?

  地��薩本願經

  http://book.bfnn.org/books/0016.htm

  /\

• 2009novice

  20 Jul 11, 22:14

  I only know all Buddhas praise and direct sentient beings to Amituofo's Pure Land...

  Never heard of Di Zang's pureland... He's busy working in Hell

• Weychin

  21 Jul 11, 02:40

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  Dawnfirstlight, this Poh Ern Shih has a very touching history. It was actually built to commemorate the Malay soldiers who died fighting against the Japanese during the invasion into Singapore.

  There is a map on the temple website how to go there. It is actually nestled among the private houses but once you went there one time, you would be able to find it again.

  Not so difficult actually.

  Something regarding Poh Ern Shih

  http://members.tripod.com/chua_hai_duc/English%20Sutras/ksitigarbha_sutra.htm
      In making this translation of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra from Chinese into English, I do not at all set myself up as a scholar in this particular field.
      However, with the great mass of the Buddhist canonical literature as yet untranslated from Chinese into any Western language, someone must come forward to make a start on the task. If some recognised scholar will take this translation as a basis and improve upon it, I shall be happy.
      I wish to acknowledge with gratitude my indebtedness to the late Venerable Sumangalo for the considerable help he had given me in rendering Chinese and English nomenclature into Sanskrit and aiding with the English version in many difficult passages. The Venerable Susiddhi has also been of great assistance in phrasing the English version. Again, Venerable Sumangalo has been most helpful with numerous suggestions for improving the English version and has given long hours to the task of polishing the English.
      There have been some curious circumstances in connection with the translation of this Sutra. Perhaps, it is well to go back some five years, to a night in 1959 when Madam Tan Gek Neo, the caretaker of Poh Ern Si, the temple where the translation took place, saw a manifestation of Tay Chong Phorsat (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva). The temple is dedicated to this Bodhisattva, and no other image is enshrined within the temple. Madam Tan Gek Neo came into the shrine hall one night, and was startled to see what appeared to be the Bodhisattva in human flesh.
      The vision was in triplicate, there being three identical figures. The vision lasted for but a few moments, and then vanished into the thin air. Madam Tan is not known as an imaginative person, and this has been her sole experience of a nature unheard of in the five years she has been in charge of the temple. According to her account, the vision was lifelike, and bore the pilgrim's staff, which is always in Ksitigarbha's right hand.
      On the l4th of November, 1959, the Venerable Sumangalo of Penang, who was honorary abbot of this temple, came to take up a two-months period of residence.
      With him was another American monk, the Venerable Susiddhi. Mr. Yap Kim Fatt and Mr. Saw Hock Seng also took up residence at Poh Ern Si at the same time. All four were busily engaged until late each evening at the task of preparing material for use in Buddhist Sunday Schools.
      On the evening of the 20th December, 1958, these four gentlemen completed their day's labour at ten o'clock and immediately retired to their beds. After they had extinguished all lights, they were amazed to catch sight of a dazzling light of electric blue in the locked shrine hall. All four instantly stepped forward to the windows of the shrine hall, and endeavoured to investigate for some rational explanation of the phenomenon. The light was of human shape and size. Despite the transparent appearance of the figure, it was very similar to the marble figure of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the shrine platform. A staff was in the right hand. The luminous figure moved about the shrine, and lasted for perhaps half an hour at full brilliance, then gradually the light diminished, but had not entirely vanished when the above-named gentlemen finally went to sleep. A diligent investigation was made to determine if reflections from motorcar lights were responsible for the phenomenon. In as much as Poh Ern Si is on a hilltop, the only possibility of headlight reflections is from cars actually ascending the hill to the monastery, and there was no such car. The surrounding hills showed only darkness. Yet the strange manifestation in the shrine continued.
      It was on the day following this vision, which I had not then heard about, that I travelled to Poh Ern Si to begin the translation of this Sutra. From the beginning of the task, all went well and help was offered from several quarters. Any major difficulties seemed to vanish. It is my firm and entire belief that this work is under the blessing of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
      Another strange occurrence must be recorded. On numerous occasions, both by day and by night, chanting was heard in the shrine hall. This was in the rhythm common to Mahayana chanting, and in a low pitch. When investigation was made of the main shrine, the chanting seemed to come from the rear shrine and, on investigating the rear shrine, the chanting appeared to come from the main shrine.
      It was certain no human agency was responsible for this phenomenon.
      It is traditional that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has six main manifestations (transformations). Sometimes, those transformations are referred to as Ksitigarbhas helpers. On the night of 26th December, 1959, the Venerable Sumangalo and the Venerable Susiddhi, prior to retiring for the night, made a round of inspection of the temple premises. The shrine was already locked for the night, and it was certain that no one was inside. At about eleven oclock, they saw six luminous figures seated before the main altar. These lights were not in human formbut merely uniform areas of light, vertical and of about the height of men seated in the lotus posture of meditation. This phenomenon persisted for perhaps half an hour before fading. Again, investigation revealed no possible material source of the strange lights of bluish radiance. Be it remembered that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's colour is a jewel blue of the shade referred to in modern times as electric blue.
      Strange acoustical effects are to be noted at morning and evening devotions when mantras are chanted. There is very little reverberation when the devotions to Amitabha, Bhaisajyaguru and others are chanted, but the Mantra to the patron Bodhisattva of the temple, Ksitigarbha, even though intoned in the same rhythm and pitch as the other prayers, is the only one that reverberates. It is difficult to avoid the feeling that the sound waves rebound from the altar and actually strike those present with a tangible, yet gentle, force. Until such time as a rational explanation can be offered for these strange occurrences, in terms of our tridimensional world, we shall have to believe the phenomena to be manifestations of Divine Grace.
      In conclusion, I wish to offer my profound gratitude to my Buddhist friends who have encouraged the translation of this Ksitigarbha Sutra, and for their pious generosity in defraying the cost of issuing same for free distribution, with the understanding of their desire to remain anonymous. Whatever merit may have accrued to my humble self, I devote to the welfare of all sentient beings in all worlds.
      May all be well and happy.
      Pitt Chin Hui

  
  

• Leogirldreamer

  23 Jul 11, 15:43

  There are many stories of Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva like the one above. I am so glad to read about the miracles in Poh Ern Shih. Incidentally, on National Day, Poh Ern Shih is hosting a Eight Precepts Retreat in the temple from 8.30am to 8.30pm. If anybody wants to witness the shinning blue light, they can choose to stay overnight in the temple and the retreat ends the next morning. The temple is expanding and Benny Ong the famous local designer has assigned China craftsmen to sew many real gold monk robe for Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva. They are hang around the ceiling in the main prayer hall. Each offering is $50 for a name or any amount you wish to donate. Next month is the yearly Hell Gate Open month, it's the best time to visit temple and help your ancestors, deceased family members, aborted babies and your past life creditors . Poh Ern Shih temple do it for just $10 per category ( ancestors, aborted babies eg). I find it very affordable. Blessing Lamp oil can be lighted for the whole month for only $10. more details, check on their website. http://www.pohernshih.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=2
• Leogirldreamer

  23 Jul 11, 15:48

  Dawnfirstlight, i do not have chinese software to type the name of Kitisargarbhva bodhisattva Pureland. Maybe you can just flip the sutra you have onhand to find it.
• Leogirldreamer

  23 Jul 11, 16:05

  地��薩救了我系列之一 -- 生死關頭走一回　地�悲願基金會編著 一�逃�生死的告白 來�：祥德寺網站 作者：地�悲願基金會編著 http://www.book853.com/show.aspx?id=184&cid=26 地皎�師是一�行腳四方，隨緣渡化的苦行僧，於一�八五年七月間，在一個巧�的因緣下，跟隨��的妙長�一行人，應馬來西亞佛教總會之邀請，�往檳城主�佛七，然而在籌備佛七的工作期間，��障礙一一��。 　　 　　�師深夜��觀想，原來是�加佛七的兩百多�佛�之共業�將��。當下，�師興起一念悲願，若此次佛七功德圓滿，待她返�將事情辦妥，將乘願�來大馬，三步一拜行腳到�旗山，普放大蒙山施食，回報眾生。感�諸佛�薩慈悲��，�師發了這個悲願之後，佛七的功德果真順利圓滿了。 　　 　　一�八六年元月，�師為了實�在馬來西亞所許的願，縱然她剛晉山祥德寺，有許多�忙的法務集於一身，�師�毅然放下，隻身�往馬來西亞，履行�旗山三步一拜的行願。 　　 　　行願的途中，�師飽�艱辛，但地��薩弘深的慈心悲願，宛如一股堅實的力�，支��師���懼��退�移地度�難關。 　　 　　登上�旗山，�師放眼望去，但見檳�大橋碼頭，燈光閃閃��，她�感的感覺此地眾生的共業將���，會有許多人喪生，剎那中，�師內心陣陣酸楚。 　　 　　此時，�師雙腳跪地，仰望著無垠的夜空，高�喚求「�無大慈大悲救苦救難地��薩摩訶薩�，祈願�薩慈悲��，加庇檳�大橋碼頭眾生的共業能夠減輕，��因緣具足，她將乘願�來，帶領大家��八關戒齋，用功懺悔。 read full article on the link above
• Dawnfirstlight

  23 Jul 11, 16:14

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  Dawnfirstlight, i do not have chinese software to type the name of Kitisargarbhva bodhisattva Pureland. Maybe you can just flip the sutra you have onhand to find it.

  May be you can let me know which page because I chanted it many times but still do not know which page or which line. I'm really curious.

• Leogirldreamer

  23 Jul 11, 16:41

  Dawnfirstlight, i am still searching for the chinese word. Here is one explanation 那尊來接呀?呵呵 沒�外當然是地��薩來接引，最好也是地��薩來接引，那表示�功了。 接引至何處?如果沒發願欲往生何處，那就接引於忉利天宮。 然而也�用擔心生於忉利天宮，�後報�盡後�來輪迴，何以故?修地�法門最後的目的也��佛，例舉地��薩本願經 囑累人天�第�三：....復次地�...是諸眾生，�以神力，方便救拔，於是人所，�無邊身，為碎地�，�令生天，��妙樂。 佛告虛空��薩：諦�諦��....三者�集�上因，四者����退....二�八者�畢竟�佛。 復次虛空��薩：若�在未來，天�鬼神，�地��，禮地�形，或�地�本願事行，讚歎瞻禮，得七種利益：一者�速超�地，二者�惡業消滅，三者�諸佛護臨，四者����退，五者�增長本力，六者�宿命皆通，七者�畢竟�佛。 由經上得知，修地�法門，就算此生沒�佛也能生於忉利天宮�為天人，而在佛經上所有諸天能��的到釋迦牟尼佛說法的，�有忉利天宮與摩醯首羅天兩處。 http://www.muni-buddha.com.tw/p2-detail.asp?Pid=313&tohit=1
• sinweiy

  23 Jul 11, 18:50

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  由經上得知，修地�法門，就算此生沒�佛也能生於忉利天宮�為天人，而在佛經上所有諸天能��的到釋迦牟尼佛說法的，�有忉利天宮與摩醯首羅天兩處。

  http://www.muni-buddha.com.tw/p2-detail.asp?Pid…

  
  i read, it's reborn in Trayastrimsa heaven as deva awaiting Buddha to teach dharma there.

  interesting to know Buddha also teach in Paranirmitavasavartin 摩醯首羅天?

  /\

• Dawnfirstlight

  24 Jul 11, 08:31

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  Dawnfirstlight, i am still searching for the chinese word.

  Here is one explanation

  那尊來接呀?呵呵 沒�外當然是地��薩來接引，最好也是地��薩來接引，那表示�功了。
  接引至何處?如果沒發願欲往生何處，那就接引於忉利天宮。

  然而也ä¸�用擔心生於忉利天宮，ç¦�後報å�—盡後å†�來輪迴，何以故?修地è—�法門最後的目的也å�¯æˆ�佛，例舉地è—�è�©è–©æœ¬é¡˜ç¶“囑累人天å“�第å��三：….復次地è—�…是諸眾生，æ±�以神力，方便救拔，於是人所，ç�¾ç„¡é‚Šèº«ï¼Œç‚ºç¢Žåœ°ç�„，é�£ä»¤ç”Ÿå¤©ï¼Œå�—å‹�妙樂。
  佛告虛空è—�è�©è–©ï¼šè«¦è�½è«¦è�½ï¼�….三者ã€�集è�–上因，四者ã€�è�©æ��ä¸�退….二å��八者ã€�畢竟æˆ�佛。
  復次虛空��薩：若�在未來，天�鬼神，�地��，禮地�形，或�地�本願事行，讚歎瞻禮，得七種利益：一者�速超�地，二者�惡業消滅，三者�諸佛護臨，四者����退，五者�增長本力，六者�宿命皆通，七者�畢竟�佛。

  由經上得知，修地�法門，就算此生沒�佛也能生於忉利天宮�為天人，而在佛經上所有諸天能��的到釋迦牟尼佛說法的，�有忉利天宮與摩醯首羅天兩處。

  http://www.muni-buddha.com.tw/p2-detail.asp?Pid…

  I see. Thanks. I've learned something new.

• Leogirldreamer

  24 Jul 11, 11:38

  I also learn more by posting here and doing more research. Buddha went up to one of the heaven to preach to his deceased mother queen. Is it 摩醯首羅天?
• sinweiy

  24 Jul 11, 16:36

  it's Trayastrimsa heaven, 忉利天宮. 摩醯首羅天Paranirmitavasavartin need some mediative state to born there.

  /\

• Beautiful951

  24 Jul 11, 16:40

  I am currently practicing the amitofo pureland method. And now I have read the ksitigarbha bodhisattva sutra. Should I concentrate on amitofo recitation or should I recite both names?

• sinweiy

  24 Jul 11, 16:45

  know your prority is to reborn in Amitabha pureland, u can also recite ksitigarbha bodhisattva as a secondary support.

  /\

• 2009novice

  24 Jul 11, 16:52

  you guys found the name of the pureland in chinese...?

• Beautiful951

  24 Jul 11, 16:58

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  know your prority is to reborn in Amitabha pureland, u can also recite Kitisargarbhva bodhisattva as a secondary support.

  /\

  I see. But the merits for reciting both names are the same? 

  Or maybe I should not be too concerned about the merits gained because my aim is rebirth in pureland but I am still curious.

• realization

  24 Jul 11, 17:14

  Originally posted by Beautiful951:

  I see. But the merits for reciting both names are the same? 

  Or maybe I should not be too concerned about the merits gained because my aim is rebirth in pureland but I am still curious.

  If you recite both names you may end up getting confused and lose focus.  What about reciting the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sutra from time to time, and continue reciting the name of Amituofo on a regular basis?  That way, there will be less confusion  :)

• Beautiful951

  24 Jul 11, 17:21

  Originally posted by realization:

  If you recite both names you may end up getting confused and lose focus.  What about reciting the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sutra from time to time, and continue reciting the name of Amituofo on a regular basis?  That way, there will be less confusion  :)

  I probably will reciting amitabha buddha's name more. Thanks for helping me.

• Amitayus48

  25 Jul 11, 10:10

  Originally posted by Leogirldreamer:

  There are many stories of Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva like the one above. I am so glad to read about the miracles in Poh Ern Shih.

  Incidentally, on National Day, Poh Ern Shih is hosting a Eight Precepts Retreat in the temple from 8.30am to 8.30pm. If anybody wants to witness the shinning blue light, they can choose to stay overnight in the temple and the retreat ends the next morning.
                

  The temple is expanding and Benny Ong the famous local designer has assigned China craftsmen to sew many real gold monk robe for Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva. They are hang around the ceiling in the main prayer hall.  Each offering is $50 for a name or any amount you wish to donate.
                

  Next month is the yearly Hell Gate Open month, it's the best time to visit temple and help your ancestors, deceased family members, aborted babies and your past life creditors .
                

  Poh Ern Shih temple do it for just $10 per category ( ancestors, aborted babies eg).
                

  I find it very affordable.  Blessing Lamp oil can be lighted for the whole month for only $10.
                

  more details, check on their website.
                

  http://www.pohernshih.info/index.php?option=com…

  That's wonderful and pleasing to learnt of this offering especially the real gold monk robe for Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva.

  Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva sutra and its name recitation works amazingly for eradicating of affliction hindrances (煩惱障) along the path of enlightenment, due to its unsurpassed benevolent vow of liberating the samsara living beings. As all benevolence vow of Bodhisavatta will end lest Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva.

• Amitayus48

  25 Jul 11, 10:14

  Originally posted by Beautiful951:

  I probably will reciting amitabha buddha's name more. Thanks for helping me.

  You may recite the Kitisargarbhva Bodhisattva sutra and its name on the 10 days stated in the sutra, and followed by transferring of meritorious deeds.

• Leogirldreamer

  25 Jul 11, 15:26

  They engaged specialist in sewing real gold threads to make the monk robe for Kitisargarbha Bodhisattva. It is a sign to behold , very delicate work. Now i also know we have a very famous london based Singaporean Designer called Benny Ong. Lols..... He is the one who went to China to find the specialists to do the sewing. Only China have such a fantastic ancient skill. Going by the price of the gold nowadays, one piece of monk robe is worth a lot. No wonder they hang it very high up near the Lotus sculptured ceiling. It is not a single piece of robe but many huge square pieces of robe modernly designed. Can see the photo on the temple website. Poh Ern Shih is very modern.
• 2009novice

  7 Aug 11, 17:11

  Just for sharing only: on chanting this part (really blur don't know what it means)

  离婆离婆�。求诃求诃�。陀罗尼�。
  尼诃啰�。毗黎你�。摩诃伽�。
  真陵乾�。莎婆诃。

  it means:

  七佛�罪真言

  此真言最大效用：消�罪障，平安�祥，事事顺利，造��世。
  此咒出自《大方等陀罗尼�》，世尊因文殊师利法王�的请求，而说过去七佛曾诵过的咒。一个人若造了四�五逆罪，�仅�世��大苦报，现世也�得平安，为了消�罪障，最宜�诵七佛�罪真言。

  http://www.dizang.org/zy/zzz.htm#a49