The Practices of Earth Store Bodhisattva and Our Daily Lives

By Chang Jie
08/30/2009

On August 30, 2009, at CMC, Venerable Chang Hwa continued the talks on the Sutra of Earth Store Bodhisattva with a talk on "The Practices of Earth Store Bodhisattva and Our Daily Lives".

Venerable stated that the sutra is unique in that it is one of only three sutras where the Buddha manifests bright clouds three times. The major purpose of this teaching is to instruct humans on how to practice. In the sutra, many sentient beings are present, including countless Buddhas, bodhisattvas, hell beings, dragons, ghosts, gods, and dharma protectors.

In order to understand the sutra, one cannot rely on logic; rather, faith is necessary in order to practice. Faith and making vows is the basis for all practices. Vows are the driving force for continued practice to Buddhahood and to help overcome obstacles during practice. Many beings vow to protect this sutra and help those who practice this sutra.

To illustrate the practices of the sutra in daily life, Venerable recounted the real-life story of a practitioner who adopted the practices taught in the Sutra of Earth Store Bodhisattva, including chanting the sutra and transferring merit, vegetarianism, chanting the Buddhaís name, and her eventual peaceful death.

Besides the Sutra of Earth Store Bodhisattva, the Sutra on the Divination of Effects of Good and Evil Actions mentions the vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva. The sutras combined list five vows or methods. The first three coincide with Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels--they are to respect all Buddhas, to recite all dharmas and to respect all Sanghas. To respect all Buddhas means that everyone should be devoted to the Buddha, give offerings to the Buddha, and thereby eventually attain Buddhahood. To recite all dharmas means to wish that all beings may learn, practice and attain the ability to spread the dharma. To respect all Sanghas means to be close to the Sangha, give offerings to the Sangha, and generate Bodhimind without regression. The fourth and fifth vows or methods are prostrating to and chanting the name of the Bodhisattva Ksithigarbha.

Vows should be made not only to benefit one self but to benefit all others. To take refuge in the Three Jewels means not only in the Three Jewels outside of the self but the Three Jewels within our selves, that is, the Buddha of our self-nature, the Dharma of our self-nature and the Sangha of our self-nature.