Special Topics
Buddhist Scripture of Filial Piety: Ksitigarbha Sutra
In Chinese folk religion, the seventh lunar month is known as the Ghost Month. During this period, people customarily prepare various kinds of food and drink as offerings for wandering ghosts, in the hopes of keeping evil at bay. However, there is no such concept of a "ghost month" in Buddhism. Instead, the seventh lunar month is referred to as the "filial piety month", which signifies gratitude for and reminiscence of parents and ancestors. During this month, Buddhist mon...
A Basic Introduction to the Ksitigarbha Sutra
Regarded as the "Buddhist scripture of filial piety," the Ksitigarbha Sutra is the Dharma talk that the Buddha imparted to his mother in the Trayastriṃsa Heaven to repay her kindness before his nirvana. At the beginning of the sutra, the Buddha took the initiative to praise Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's vows and practices, introducing his great aspiration that states "Only when all sentient beings are delivered, will I attain Bodhi; if the hells are not empty yet, then I will n...
The Foundation of Attaining Buddhahood — Altruism
On the path to Buddhahood, who would you choose to liberate first: yourself, or others? Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was faced with such a choice between the two when, in a past life, he was the king of a small country. He was friends with the king of a neighboring country and, together, they often gave alms to the poor. However, the common people kept committing various evil acts and suffered from all kinds of afflictions and mishaps. One king thus pledged that he would first attain Buddhahood...
Practicing Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Method
In addition to reciting the Ksitigarbha Sutra and participating in Dharma assemblies, what else can we do to practice Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's method? The Buddha has taught us many easily accessible methods in the Ksitigarbha Sutra, including giving, making offerings, performing prostrations, chanting the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' names, painting Buddha, etc. However, it must not be Buddha's intent to see us merely participating in Dharma assemblies, counting how many times we re...
Common Questions on the Practice of Ksitigarbha Sutra
The Ksitigarbha Sutra is popular among the general public, yet so are the widespread myths about the methods of practice stated in the sutra. For instance, there is the common misconception that one is not supposed to recite the sutra at night, and that one is prone to attracting spirits and undesirable spiritual responses by reciting it. So, why not let the following Q&A session debunk the myths and help us establish correct views so that we can recite the sutra at ease without unnecessa...