不只管地獄！你所不知道的地藏王菩薩！
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在華人的傳統民間信仰當中，地藏王菩薩被視為救度鬼道眾生的象徵，很多人會產生一個疑惑，究竟是閻羅王還是地藏王菩薩的地位高？其實，連閻羅王都信奉佛法，會禮敬地藏王菩薩。但也因此人們往往認為，地藏王菩薩最主要的職責是超渡亡靈，讓往生者安息，並掌管陰間一切事宜。
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其實，地藏王菩薩所「管轄」的範圍，可不只是地獄！雖然，地藏王菩薩誓願不渡盡地獄眾生便不成佛，讓人有「地藏菩薩只管地獄」的錯覺，然而根據《地藏菩薩本願經》中的內容，佛陀曾將教育、開化世人的「重責大任」，也一併託付給了地藏菩薩。因此，心懷慈悲的地藏王菩薩，連人世間的問題也一併管了！發生哪些人世大事時，我們可以參拜地藏王菩薩呢？
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像是我們最熟知的，是替臨終前的親友求解脫、可脫離地獄之苦；為產婦祈求生產平安，生出福智圓滿又健康的孩子；替意外往生或被冤魂纏身的親友誦地藏經迴向，可超渡亡者，替生者逢凶化吉；為我們的冤親債主誦念地藏菩薩本願經，可消除累世惡業，使它們能往生淨土，不受地獄之苦，也能減少我們現世的障礙，迎來人生順遂；誠心禮拜地藏王菩薩還能開智慧，消除累世無明，積累福報；像與地藏王菩薩有特殊緣分，時常夢見地藏王菩薩之人，也能時常禮拜地藏王菩薩。
所以，可別再以為地藏王菩薩只管陰間了，人們若有問題都能向祂祈求，包括保平安、找工作、求順產等等，慈悲的地藏王菩薩都會傾聽你的願望。時值盂蘭盆節前夕，大家可以誠心禮佛，擁有大願力的地藏王菩薩必定會為你帶來吉祥平安、所願皆成。
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#地藏菩薩、#慈悲、#盂蘭盆節
參考資料：http://kabuki11.pixnet.net/blog/post/276819512-%E4%BD%A0%E5%B0%8D%E5%9C%B0%E8%97%8F%E7%8E%8B%E8%8F%A9%E8%96%A9%E7%9A%84%E8%AA%8D%E8%AD%98%E6%9C%89%E5%A4%9A%E5%B0%91%3FrnrnNot merely the guardian of the nether realms; there are still things about the Earth Store (Ksitigarbha) Bodhisattva that you are not aware about!
Among the traditional folk beliefs of the Chinese, the Earth Store Bodhisattva epitomizes the bearer of salvation for all sentient beings. Many people will wonder if it is the King of Hades or the Earth Store Bodhisattva who is more senior? Actually, even the King of Hades believe in and venerate the Buddhadharma, thus he will naturally worship the Earth Store Bodhisattva. It is often believed that the main duty of the Earth Store Bodhisattva is to help the deceased spirits to transcend in peace, relieve the living, and take charge of all matters in the nether realm.
In fact, the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s “jurisdiction” includes not only the nether realm! While his vow not to become a Buddha unless he had saved all sentient beings from hell created the limiting impression that he oversees only the hell realm, in the Sutra of the Great Vows of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, he was entrusted with the heavy responsibilities of educating, and developing all sentient beings by the Buddha. Therefore, the compassionate Earth Store Bodhisattva also oversees issues in the sentient world. Under what exceptional circumstances do we seek the Earth Store Bodhisattva’s help?
Some examples that we are most familiar with are, to seek peace for departing relatives, so that they are spared from the sufferings of Hell; to pray for the smooth delivery of babies by expectant mothers, and for the children’s wholesome fortune, wisdom and health; to recite the Sutra of the Great Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on behalf of those afflicted by unintended deaths or for relatives afflicted by spirits so that the spirits can transcend and allow the living sentient beings to regain peace; to recite the Sutra on behalf of our karmic creditors to reduce our past wrongdoings so that they can transcend to the Pure Land and be spared the sufferings of Hell, in the process reducing our current life obstacles to usher in smoother paths; also, sincere prostration to the Earth Store Bodhisattva can also elevate wisdom, eliminate ignorance, accumulate blessings, and develop affinity with the Earth Store Bodhisattva. Those who often dream about the Earth Store Bodhisattva can also venerate the Bodhisattva.
So, do not presume that the Earth Store Bodhisattva merely oversees the nether world. We can pray to him to help resolve issues, such as with safety and security, employment search, for smooth delivery of children and so on. The compassionate Earth Store Bodhisattva would certainly attend to our prayers. As we approach the eve of the Ullumbana festival, we can sincerely venerate the Buddha, as the immeasurably great and inspirational Earth Store Bodhisattva will bring us auspiciousness, peace, and fulfill our aspirations.
#KsitigarbhaBodhisattva, #Compassion, #UllumbanaFestival
Reference: http://kabuki11.pixnet.net/blog/post/276819512-%E4%BD%A0%E5%B0%8D%E5%9C%B0%E8%97%8F%E7%8E%8B%E8%8F%A9%E8%
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