《地藏经》见闻利益品第十二（摘录）
Kṣitigarbha Sūtra’s Chapter Twelve: Benefits [From] Seeing [And] Hearing (Excerpt)
复次，观世音，若未来现在诸世界中，
Furthermore, Contemplation [Of the] World’s Sounds [i.e. Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva], if [in] all future [and] present worlds within, [the] six paths’ sentient beings,
Note 1: The following teaching applies to all beings for all time.
六道众生临命终时，得闻地藏菩萨名，一声历耳根者， 是诸众生，永不历三恶道苦，
when approaching life’s end, attain hearing [of] Earth Treasury [i.e. Kṣitigarbha] Bodhisattva’s name, [with its] sound once passing their ear roots, these sentient beings, forever [will] not experience [the] three evil paths’ suffering,
Note 2: With truly sincere mindfulness of the Bodhisattva’s name, the meritorious virtues are so much, that it can dilute (to eradicate) the negative karma that might lead to rebirth in a lower realm. This principle also applies to mindfulness of Buddhas’ names.
何况临命终时，父母眷属，将是命终人，舍宅财物，宝贝衣服，塑画地藏形像，
what more when approaching life’s end, Fathers, Mothers [and other] family members, using these life-ending persons’ residences, wealth, property, treasured objects [and] clothing, sculpt [and] paint Kṣitigarbha [Bodhisattva’s] image,
Note 3: This is to use dying persons’ belongings to donate for the creation of the Bodhisattva’s image to create meritorious virtues in the name of and for the persons. This principle also applies to creation of Buddhas’ images.
或使病人未终之时，眼耳见闻，知道眷属将舍宅宝贝等，为其自身塑画地藏菩萨形像，
perhaps enabling [the] sick persons, when yet [to] end [their lives, with] eyes [and] ears seeing [and] hearing [these], knowing [that] family members [are] using [their] residences, treasured objects [and] others, for themselves sculpting [and] painting Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s image,
Note 4: Letting the sick persons know what is done on their behalf allows for rejoice, which creates even more meritorious virtues for themselves.
是人若是业报，合受重病者，承斯功德，寻即除愈，寿命增益。
these persons’ karmic retribution, with experience [as] those [with] heavy sicknesses, receiving these meritorious virtues, [will] immediately heal and recover completely, [with] lifespan increasing.
Note 5: When there are adequate meritorious virtues created and dedicated to the sick persons, there can be swift healing, with lengthening of life, without which the healing would not be meaningful.
是人若是业报命尽，应有一切罪障业障，合堕恶趣者，承斯功德，命终之后，即生人天，受胜妙乐，一切罪障，悉皆消灭。
These persons, if their karmic retribution [is such that their] lives end, [and] should have all transgressive obstacles [and] karmic obstacles, with fall [into] evil realms, [when] receiving these meritorious virtues, after life’s end, [they will] immediately [be] born [as] human [or] heavenly [beings, to] receive wonderful joy, [and of] all transgressive obstacles, all [will be] eradicated.
Note 6: As life will end eventually for all, there is a limit to healing in this life. If there are still many obstacles when dying, the meritorious virtues received will lead to higher, instead of lower rebirths.
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
Related Article:
《地藏经》之念佛教理
Kṣitigarbha Sūtra’s Niànfó Teachings
https://purelanders.com/2019/08/14/nianfo-teachings-from-the-k%e1%b9%a3itigarbha-sutra
