Issue 271

Fourth, an Explanation of the Title. Xiao 「消」 as in [“to extinguish”]. What does the word xiao 「消」 mean? It means to explain clearly the meaning of the text. Therefore—an explanation of the title of the Sutra: Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store [Ksitigarbha] Bodhisattva.

The Sutra incorporates Earth Store Bodhisattva’s name in its title, which refers to a person, and “Past Vows” denotes dharma—therefore, in the Seven Categories of Sutra Titles, this Sutra belongs to the category of “Titles Consisting of Person and Dharma.” “Dharma” is just a kind of karma; “Past Vows” refers to his fundamental activity karma — deeds and karma created in his past lives.

Why the name “Earth Store”? “Earth” nurtures the growth of all things, and “Store” refers to treasure troves—all the treasure troves are in the ground. “Store” also has the meaning “to keep hidden”. All the treasure troves are hidden from view, under the ground. Like the great earth, this Bodhisattva is able to make the myriad things grow. Like the great earth, he has endless, boundless treasure troves for people to uncover. Those who believe in this Bodhisattva will be able to obtain the treasures. Anything you can think of can be found in these treasure troves, and there is something to suit everyone’s fancy: all the precious diamonds, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, mother-of-pearl, to name a few. If, say, you come into possession of a big, three-hundred-pound diamond, that should make you the world’s richest person. I made some people laugh when I said “three-hundred-pound.” They thought that was way too big. In fact, that is still “way too small”—the smallest of all, because the one that is “way too big” is practically too heavy for you to even pick up. This Bodhisattva is replete with all these gracious virtues, thus the name “Earth Store.”

The word Bodhisattva is Sanskrit. It is translated into Chinese as “an enlightened sentient being”—an enlightened one among living beings. It can also be translated as “to enlighten sentient beings”—leading others to enlightenment with the principles that oneself has become enlightened to. In other words, it is “the enlightened one enlightening others”—one who has become enlightened and wishes for all living beings to become enlightened. Put another way, it is “the benefited one benefiting others”—one who has attained great wisdom, and wishes for all living beings to attain great wisdom. With great wisdom, there will be no more upside down thinking.

“Past Vows” refers not to vows made in the present but the ones he had made since the origin. Since the origin—when was that? It was countless eons ago when he made those vows. The power of vows from lives past is called “past vows.” Similar to the Events of the Past Lives—one of the Twelve Divisions of Sutras—which are accounts of events in lives past. Here, the past vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva are the vows he made in his past lives—not at the present, because by now he has already fulfilled his vows. What were the vows he made? He vowed:

Until the hells are empty
I vow to forgo Buddhahood;
When all beings are saved
will I then certify to Bodhi.

For as long as the hells are not yet empty, he will hold off on becoming a Buddha; only when the hells are completely empty will he become a Buddha. Can you imagine how great that vow-power is? Earth Store Bodhisattva says, “I will be in the hells to receive and guide all the hungry ghosts. For each day that they have not gained deliverance from suffering to bliss, I will hold off on Buddhahood. The hungry ghosts in the hells must completely gain deliverance, leave suffering, and attain bliss, and then I will become a Buddha.
Let’s think that over. The karma living beings create is endless and so are their afflictions. Then how could the hells ever come to an end? Only when living beings’ afflictions are cutoff and their karmic obstructions eradicated will the hells then be empty. Yet, as living beings’ karmic obstructions cannot be eradicated and our afflictions cannot be ended, how will the hells ever be empty?

From the standpoint of contemporary scientists and philosophers, won’t they deem the vows that Earth Store Bodhisattva made as the most foolish of conduct and notions? Why do I say “the most foolish of conduct and notions”? First, he had the notion that he put into action and which manifested in his conduct. However, isn’t this kind of conduct and notions way too foolish? Why? This is improbable to happen. Basically, the hells can never be empty. Being so, Earth Store Bodhisattva stands no chance to ever become a Buddha, right? No, it is not the most foolish kind of conduct and notions. It is the kindest, most compassionate type of conduct and notions—and also the most filial.

Why do I say that? In his contemplation, Earth Store Bodhisattva perceived that his mother had fallen into the hells and had undergone great suffering, and he beseeched the Buddha to help take his mother across. Who is Earth Store Bodhisattva, really? He is the Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana, and he serves as a Bodhisattva in the hells. Why would he want to do that? He felt the pain his mother underwent in the hells, and reflected on “extending filiality for one’s elders to others’ elders.” “If my mom went through such sufferings, others’ moms could also be undergoing the same sufferings,” he thought. Therefore, with a filiality that is equal, level and indiscriminating, he sought to rescue all hell beings and deliver them from suffering to bliss. That is what Earth Store Bodhisattva’s vows are about. If we are to discuss his vow power, it will be endless.
Now, let us go over the word “Earth.” It has ten designations, and though the ten still cannot cover all its functions, I will give a general idea.

First, Vast and Great: Do you see that the earth is vast and great? Some of you are saying, “Dharma Master, you may skip that one. We all know it’s vast and great. Why bother?” Because everyone knows that, I find it even more important to bring it up to your attention.

Second, Relied upon by Living Beings: All living beings rely on earth to sustain life. Do you know of any living being that does not? Surely none lives in empty space.

Third, Not Given to Likes and Dislikes: The earth has no likes or dislikes. It does not pick and choose, dictating, “You! Stay here. That living being there, I don’t want you.” No way. All living beings – good, bad, wholesome, and evil, together with tigers, sila deer, monkeys and everything else all live and rely on the earth. The earth is not given to preferences or biases. Some people might claim, “Oh, I know! The earth simply has no awareness. It’s insensate.” Do you know for sure that it has no awareness? The earth’s awareness and perception is beyond the scope of our awareness and perception. The earth has its awareness; it is also one of the living beings.

Fourth, Acceptant of Great Rains: It can withstand the most forbidding of downpours.

Fifth, Bringing Forth Vegetation.

Sixth, A Repository for Seeds: All the seeds are buried underground.

Seventh, Bearing Many Treasures: There are many valuables in the ground. Originally, the seventh was not going to be discussed because once discussed, you people will all think of going after the treasures.

Eight, Yielding Various Medicines: All medicines are produced from the earth.

Ninth, Unmoved by Blowing Winds: Not even the gustiest of winds, not even hurricanes, can move the earth. What about earthquakes? They are not caused by movement of winds.

Ten, Undaunted by the Lions’ Roars: When the lions roar, all creatures are scared, but the earth does not flinch. In light of these ten designations, Earth Store Bodhisattva takes the earth to represent his name.

This Sutra bases its title on a person and a dharma, with “Earth Store Bodhisattva” being the person and his “past vows” the dharma. The Chinese word for “past” is 本 ben as in foundation or origin—both suggest “the past” and indicate that these were the vows Earth Store Bodhisattva made previously. Previously—countless eons ago—in life after life he constantly made these vows to perfect his filiality, to serve his parents with filial devotion, and to save and take them across at the expense of his own life—such was Earth Store Bodhisattva’s vow-power. I have explained the term “sutra” on many previous occasions, but it helps to go over it in every sutra lecture. Some of you learned it from prior lectures, yet others have not been to one until now and are not clear about its principles.

“Sutras” offer a “path” for cultivation which everyone may walk on. If you wish to become a Buddha, you must take this route. This is the way to Buddhahood. Therefore, “Sutra” means “path.” It also has the meaning of the carpenter’s chalk line, or in China, the carpenter’s ink line. The carpenter snaps the line he pulls out of the ink pad to mark a straight black line. By the same token, Sutras help us tell the proper from the deviant. Moreover, “Sutra” has the meaning of “garland” as Sutras string together principles like flowers in a garland.