‘The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha (Earth Store) Bodhisattva Sutra’ referred to as the ‘The Book of Filial Piety’ by the ancient masters in Chinese Buddhist society. It is one of the most familiar sutras in the practice of Ksitigarbha. With beautiful characters and informative content, it articulates Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s power of compassion and the spirit of filial piety. In order to rescue her mother from the Hell realm, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva made the compassionate vow, ‘I will not become Buddha unless the Hell realm is emptied; I will only attain Buddhahood once all sentient beings are delivered.’ Master Lianchi once praised this reaction as ‘the greatest filial piety’.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has gained respect from a lot of people because of how filial he is. A ceremony that heavily focuses on chanting the Earth Store Sutra evokes feelings of gratitude and kinship. More so, it educates people to be compassionate and wise as the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, in addition to helping people to raise Bodhi mind and take responsibility for ‘seeking the path to Buddhahood, while wishing to deliver all sentient beings."

Ksitigarbha Bodisattva’s all-surpassing merit is too inconceivable to measure. Even Sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas cannot compare to this level of merit. The Earth Store ceremony is three hours long and contains three sections, including chanting ‘Earth Store Sutra’, chanting ‘Earth Store Sutra Praising Verse,’ and reciting ‘Ksitigarbha Bodisattva’s name’. To practice in the Ksitigarbha way, as long as you are sincerely making offerings, almsgiving, praising, chanting the sutra or reciting Bodisattva’s name, you will be able to follow the spirit of Ksitigarbha Bodisattva. According to the ‘Earth Store Sutra,’ there are many incredible benefits that can be obtained from chanting the ‘Earth Store Sutra’ and respectfully prostrating to Ksitigarbha Bodisattva. Among some of the benefits are:

1. To help the ones who are dying to extend their life and purify their misconduct.
2. To help the deceased relatives to be reborn in the blissful realms.
3. To bless the whole family to live with warm clothes and adequate food, as well as happiness and harmony.
4. Tobless the ones who are traveling or being far away from home to be safe.
5. To help the ones who have already raised their Bodhi mind to be sharp and clever at listening to the Dharma.