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In the last episode, we followed Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha’s past incarnation as the daughter of a Brahmin. Protected by sincerely recollecting the Buddha’s name, She stood unafraid amid the terrifying vision of churning seas, ferocious beasts, and fearsome yakṣas tormenting countless suffering beings. Unlike Bodhisattvas of celestial realms, Kṣitigarbha walks among the suffering, entering hell realms, the darkest and most terrifying spaces of existence, to offer relief. He is not a god nor a judge; He is a companion, a guardian, and a guide. In a 2019 lecture, our Most Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) explained how Kṣitigarbha compassionately aids souls in hell without being affected by its atmosphere. “He is a Bodhisattva! He’s not you. He has power, and that’s His job, so-called job. He made a big vow saying that if all the hells are not empty, He would never enter Nirvana, He would never become a complete Buddha. So, His vow, powerful vow, was backed up by His own spiritual merit since eons and kalpa as endless as the Ganges River sand. Too powerful! And when He made this vow, all the Universes witnessed that and helped Him, protected Him, so that He could do His job in hell. If it’s you, or you, you, you – anyone goes there – immediately will have trouble, burn or suffer, cannot even help yourself, not to talk about anybody else. You see, that’s why only Him (could help) in hell. He was too sincere and too powerful. So, all the Universes helped Him, also. And He was very unconditional; He wanted nothing at all. Because if we do something and want something in return, then we’ll maybe have only that returning thing but not the end. So, unconditional help and love is the answer. He wanted nothing! He just wanted to offer, and even sacrificed His Buddha status, just to stay a Bodhisattva, second best, so that He could help people in hell. So, all His merit will be spent toward this vow, this goal. Thus, He is not harmed. Don’t try, please.” In the quiet strength of this Great Vow, we are invited to reflect on our own capacity for compassion. In Part 3, we continue exploring the enduring power of Kṣitigarbha’s path.
