The Great Vow: The Key to Uncovering the Treasury of Kṣitigarbha

Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva appears in the form of a monastic and vows to deliver all beings in this defiled age of the Five Turbidities. His spirit embodies the courage to take on what others fear, the resolve never to give up, and the endurance to carry through to the end. The immeasurable merits he has accomplished are like an inexhaustible treasury, awaiting discovery.

■ Chiu Hui-min (邱惠敏)
The 30th day of the seventh lunar month marks the sacred birthday of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. On this day each year, the monastic sangha of Dharma Drum Mountain holds an ordination ceremony for those who have resolved to renounce worldly life. This tradition was upheld by the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, Venerable Master Sheng Yen, in accordance with the teachings of his own teacher, the late Venerable Master Dong Chu (東初老人). It is also meant to encourage newly ordained monastics to emulate the spirit of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva:
“Only when all sentient beings are delivered shall Buddhahood be realized; Only when hell is empty will I attain Buddhahood.”

With this vow, they are inspired to seek the Buddha Way and to benefit sentient beings, persevering steadfastly without ever turning back.
 
Venerable Master Dong Chu, founder of Humanity Magazine, devoted his life to the practice of the Kṣitigarbha Dharma method. In the preface to his “Overview of the Sutra of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Fundamental Vows”, he wrote that although Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva manifests in countless forms across the six realms to liberate beings, the power of such vows still has its limits. Only the vows made by Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva over countless kalpas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, are without end. Moreover, Kṣitigarbha places particular emphasis on rescuing beings in the hell realms, entering deep samadhi each morning and traveling through the six realms to liberate those suffering from karmic retribution.

Throughout history, many eminent masters—such as Master Ouyi (蕅益大師), Master Hongyi (弘一法師), Master Yinguang (印光大師), and Master Yinshun (印順法師)—have especially praised Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s spirit of “appearing in the śrāvaka form to deliver beings in the troubled world full of suffering.” He may be regarded as the true inheritor of the spirit of Śākyamuni Buddha. This is also the fundamental aspiration that Master Sheng Yen held for those who leave the household life.
 
Bearing the Hardships of All Beings

Kṣitigarbha is originally a deity of the earth in ancient Indian Vedic mythology more than a thousand years before the Common Era. He was subsequently incorporated into Buddhism as a bodhisattva.
The kṣiti in Kṣitigarbha is derived from the root kṣi, meaning “earth” and “to abide,” which refers to both ground and the “earth element”. “Garbha”, on the other hand, means “womb,” “store,” or “treasury.” Just as the earth contains hidden reserves of gold, silver, coal, and iron, so in Buddhism, Ksitigarbha is referred to as a “treasury”—a storehouse of boundless resources.
 
Earth is one of the Four Elements－earth, water, fire, and wind--capable of bearing all things. Everything exists upon the earth; thus, the vast merits of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva are likened to the earth itself, able to shoulder the most difficult and arduous practices for the sake of all beings. “Earth” also implies a basis of support. That is, just as all plants depend upon the earth to grow, so all virtues that benefit oneself and others depend upon Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva.
 
Master Sheng Yen further explained in his book “Great Vow Dharma Gate of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏菩薩的大願法門)” that “Kṣitigarbha” carries the meanings of “capable” and “abiding.” “Capable” means able to undertake, while “abiding” means stable and secure. The earth may be seen as a dwelling place, or as a nurturing womb like that of a mother, giving rise to and sustaining all beings. The earth contains all things, offering inexhaustible resources and the most precious treasures to the world.

A Wondrous Remedy for Bringing Stability to Families and Society

Venerable Master Dong Chu, who deeply revered the spirit of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s great vows, believed that Dharma practices carried out by Kṣitigarbha—such as filial piety, which supports ethical morality, and the compassionate vow to rescue his mother, which extends to saving all beings—are closely aligned with the needs of family and society and can be practiced by everyone. Venerable Master Dong Chu further recommended the Kṣitigarbha Sutra as essential reading for family education—a wholesome remedy for correcting imbalances and stabilizing society.

Venerable Master Yinshun also mentioned in his article “The Sacred Virtues and Dharma Methods of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva” that the most crucial and thorough aspect of Kṣitigarbha’s work is to prevent beings from falling into the hell realms. This, in itself, is the most effective way of saving those in hell. Like a skilled physician who not only treats illness or performs surgery, but also teaches people how to maintain health and prevent disease, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva functions as a great healer and supreme medicine. He enables beings to cultivate well-being, eliminate all physical illness and mental afflictions, and transcend the suffering of birth and death, thereby perfecting all virtues.
 
Awakening the Inner “earth treasure”

Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s vows to liberate beings are without end. No matter how difficult or unbearable a task may be, he is able to endure and carry it through. This spirit reflects a profound sense of responsibility, unwavering determination, and sustained effort—rooted in the willingness to bear suffering on behalf of others, to endure hardship, and shoulder great burdens with limitless forbearance and inclusiveness.”
 
Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s infinite vows also echo the words of Master Sheng Yen: “The universe may one day perish, yet my vows are eternal. What I am unable to accomplish in this life, I vow to push forward through countless future lives.” This is a perfect expression of the Kṣitigarbha spirit. Master Sheng Yen often encouraged those who have not yet established a regular practice to adopt the Kṣitigarbha Dharma method. With sincerity—through making offerings, giving, praising, bowing, reciting sutras, and invoking the Bodhisattva’s name—this is a very easy practice accessible to all.

The ocean of Kṣitigarbha’s vows is like an inexhaustible treasury, capable of generating inconceivable merits. Through the power of these merits, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva gives rise to steadfast great compassion, fulfilling the aspirations of all beings. The Ratnagotravibhāga (Treatise on the Buddha Nature) also mentions that within each of us lies the Tathāgatagarbha—like the “treasury of the earth”—containing limitless treasures for us to uncover and benefit from. Are you ready to learn from Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and open the boundless treasury within?



Related articles:
 

The Great Vow: The Key to Uncovering the Treasury of Kṣitigarbha

A Modern Revelation of Ksitigarbha's Original Vows

Practice Methods of the Ksitigarbha Dharma Door

Resource: Issue 338 of Humanity Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Photo: 釋常護
Translation: 小熊 
Editing: Keith Brown, Patricia Yang