sutra of the past vows of earth store bodhisattva - Dharma Realm ...

Sutra of Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva
other names and clans are about to give birth to sons or daughters,
newborn sons or daughters, the family members should recite this
inconceivable Sutra and recite the Bodhisattva’s name a full ten
thousand times during the seven days before the birth of their
children. If those infants, whether male or female, were destined to
undergone a terrible retribution for things done in past lives, they will
be liberated from those retributions. They will be peaceful, happy,
easily raised, and will have long lives. If those children were due to
receive blessings, then their peace and happiness will be increased,
as will their lifespans.
“Moreover, Universally Expansive, on the first, eighth, fourteenth,
fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-eighth,
twenty-ninth, and thirtieth days of the lunar month, the offenses of
beings are tabulated and their gravity assessed. Every single
movement or stirring of thought on the part of beings of Jambudvipa
creates karma and offenses. How much more is that the case when
they blatantly indulge in killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false
speech and hundreds of thousands of other kinds of obvious
offenses. If they are able to recite this Sutra once on those ten
vegetarian days, before the images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or
worthy one and sages, then there will be no disasters for within a
radius of one hundred yojanas. The relatives of those who recite, both
old and young, now and in the future, will be apart from the evil paths
throughout hundreds of thousands of years. If they can recite this
sutra once on each of these ten vegetarian days, then there will be no
accidents or illnesses in the family, and there will be food and clothing
in abundance.
“Universally Expansive, you should know of the beneficial deeds done
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