At that time, Shakyamuni Buddha said to the future Dharma King, Manjushri Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, "Look onto all these Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and eight classes of supernatural beings gathering here at Trayastrimsas from various worlds.  Do you know how many of them are here?"

Manjushri replied, "World Honored One, [even] if I use my divine power, I cannot determine the number after thousands of kalpas."

The Buddha said to Manjushri, "Observing with my Buddha Eye, I also cannot determine the number.  [Together], they represent all those beings in these countless kalpas who had been delivered, who are to be delivered, and who are yet to be delivered by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva; and those who had already attained Enlightenment, who are about to attain Enlightenment, and who have yet attained Enlightenment [through the help of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva]."

Manjushri said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, in the past, I have long cultivated virtuous practices and have achieved Unobstructed Wisdom.  Upon hearing the Buddha's truthful words, I immediately believe and accept.   However, the beings of the lesser vehicles, eight classes of supernatural beings, as well as sentient beings of the future generations will certainly have doubts.  Although they heard the Tathagata's truthful statement and respectfully accepted it, there would unavoidably arise some slandering.  I only hope that the World Honored One will elaborate on what Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva-Mahasattva did in the `Causal Grounds' and what vows did he take, so that he is able to accomplish such inconceivable deeds."

The Buddha said to Manjushri, "As an analogy, imagine if every grass blade, tree, bush, straw, hemp, bamboo, reed, mountain, stone, dust and every object of three trillion worlds are each a separate Ganges River.  Then imagine that each grain of sand of these countless Ganges Rivers represents a world.  Additionally, every speck of dust from each and every one of these worlds represents a kalpa.  Then convert every speck of dust that accumulates in these worlds in one kalpa time to kalpas.  The time since Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had achieved the Tenth Level of Bodhisattva-hood (highest level Bodhisattva) is thousands of times longer than [the sum of all of the kalpas in] the previous analogy.  This is not mentioning the length of time Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva spent in Sravaka-hood and Pratyeka-Buddhahood.  Manjushri, this Bodhisattva's majestic, solemn vow is, indeed, inconceivable!"

"The Mighty Lion Myriad Deeds All Accomplished Tathagata told the sage, `If you want to attain this form, you must rescue all suffering sentient beings for long and extended time.'"

"During the Semblance Dharma Era of that time, there was a holy Brahman woman.  She was profoundly blessed because of the enormous amount of virtuous deeds she performed in her previous lives.  Admired and respected by the people, she was also protected by the devas at all times and places.  However, her mother had deviant beliefs and would often disrespect the Three Jewels.  At the time, the Brahman woman tried many expedient means to persuade and lead her mother to adopt righteous views.  Yet, the mother did not completely change her ways.  Soon thereafter, the mother passed away, and her soul fell into Avici (Uninterrupted) Hell."

"The Brahman woman knew that her mother did not believe in the laws of causation [and therefore committed many sins] and would inevitably be reborn into the realms of suffering in accordance to her mother's karmic sins.  [To relieve her mother of this suffering], she sold off her home to purchase vast amounts of incense, flowers and other offering items.  She made great offerings to the stupa and temple of the Buddha of that era.  [The Brahman woman] saw in a temple the image of the Awakened By Flower Meditation Self-Mastery King Tathagata.  The painted statue showed the Tathagata in his magnificent form with perfect dignity.  Bowing and admiring this magnificent statue, the Brahman woman was inspired with greater reverence.  She whispered to herself: `The Buddha is called the Great Enlightened One, possessing all wisdom.  If He were in this world, I would come to Him and inquire about my mother's whereabouts.  He surely would tell me of my mother's place of rebirth.'   She wept quietly for a long time while piously gazing at the Tathagata."

"Suddenly she heard a voice from the sky, saying, `Crying holy woman, restrain your sorrow, for I shall reveal your mother's whereabouts.'"

"The Brahman woman faced skyward with her palms joined and replied, `May I ask who is the holy Virtuous Being?  Who is the one to relieve me of my worries?  Since losing my mother, she has been in my thoughts constantly both day and night.  Yet, there is no place for me to go to find out my mother's place of rebirth.'"

"The voice from above responded again, saying, `I am the one whom you are worshiping, the Awakened By Flower Meditation Self-Mastery King Tathagata.  Seeing that you [had performed numerous virtuous deeds in your previous lives and your current life, and] cherish your mother much more than ordinary beings, I have come to inform you of her place of rebirth.'"

"Upon hearing this, the Brahman woman prostrated herself abruptly onto the ground [to show her gratitude].  She was badly injured and her attendants came to hold her steady for quite a long time as she slowly regained consciousness.   She then addressed the sky again, saying, `May the Buddha, in his mercy and compassion, quickly tell me of my mother's whereabouts, for I feel that my heart and physical body are about to die!'"

"The Awakened By Flower Meditation Self-Mastery King Tathagata replied, `After having completed your offerings, go directly home.  Sit reverently and contemplate my title; then you will know your mother's whereabouts.'"

"After one day and night [of contemplation, her mind was in a deep meditative state].  She saw herself being transported to the shore of a boiling sea.  On that sea, there were many beasts with bodies made of iron, flying over or running upon it, and chasing [people] in all directions.  She saw men and women, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, struggling to stay afloat [in that sea]."

"[She saw] the iron beasts competed with each other to snatch up and devour these men and women.  There were also yaksas in various forms, some with many arms and numerous eyes, others with many legs and multiple heads, all with teeth as sharp as swords protruding from their mouths.  These yaksas chased and herded both men and women into [the claws of] the iron beasts, which seized and snapped at these men and women by either their heads or feet.  The various [ensuing gruesome dismemberments] were too horrible and frightening to be looked upon.  Yet, the Brahman woman felt no fear in her heart because of the strength generated by her mindfulness of the Buddha."

"Then,  a ghost king named No Poison (Vandana) came and prostrated himself before her.  He greeted her, inquiring, `Bodhisattva, for what reason did you come here?'"

"The Brahman woman replied by inquiring the ghost king, `What is this place?'"

"Vandana answered, `This is the first great sea to the west of the Great Cakravada Mountain.'"

"Then, the holy woman asked, `I have heard that hells are in the midst of the Cakravada. Is this true?'"

"Vandana replied, `It is true and hells do exist.'"

"The holy woman asked, `How did I arrive at this place of hell?'"

"Vandana replied, `If not by the use of the divine power, then it must be caused by karmic forces. Other than these two forces, there is no other way to gain entrance [into hell].'"

"The Brahman woman asked again, `What causes this seawater to rise and boil?  And why are there so many suffering people and fierce beasts here?'"

"Vandana replied, `Those suffering people are the newly deceased beings from Jambudvipa, who committed evil deeds.  For the period of forty-nine days after their deaths, none of their relatives performed virtuous acts on their behalf to ease and deliver them from their suffering.  Since they did not perform many virtuous deeds while alive, their negative karma is guiding them into the various hells.  Consequently, they must first pass through this Great Sea. One Hundred thousands yojanas to the east of this Great Sea, there is another Great Sea.  The suffering in that Great Sea are twice of the suffering here. To the east of that second Great Sea there is yet another Great Sea, where the suffering is doubled yet again. These suffering is the result of the negative karma arisen from these people' negative speeches, actions and thoughts; and these seas are known collectively as the Karmic Seas.'"

"The holy woman also asked Ghost King Vandana, `Where are these hells?'"

"Vandana replied, `All hells are within these three seas, and they number in the hundreds of thousands.  Each one is different from the others.  There are eighteen great hells .  Then, there are five hundred secondary ones, and within each there is boundless suffering.  Additionally, there are hundreds of thousands of hells in the next category, and within each is also immeasurable suffering.'"

"The Brahman woman asked the great ghost king, `My mother died recently.  Do you know the whereabouts of her spirit?'"

"The ghost king asked her, `What malicious acts did your mother commit in her lifetime?'"

"The holy woman replied, `My mother held deviant views and slandered the Three Jewels.  Sometimes, she half-heartedly believed in the Dharma but then would reject it again.  Though she died recently, I do not know her whereabouts.'"

"Vandana asked, `What was your mother's name?'"

"The holy woman replied, `Both my father and mother were Brahmans. My father's name was Silo Sardrsa; my mother's name was Yue Di Li.'"

"Having said this, the ghost king withdrew with his palms joined.  Then, the Brahman woman awoke as if it was a dream and realized this matter had come to a close.  [Afterward], in front of the stupa and image of the Awakened By Flower Meditation Self-Mastery King Tathagata, the Brahman woman vowed: `Through all of the future kalpas, for the sake of all suffering sentient beings, I shall provide extensive expedient means for their deliverance and liberation.'"

"Observe my diligence in this difficult task, for many kalpas, of delivering and liberating such stubborn, sinful and suffering beings.  Those beings, whose hearts are not yet tamed, will be guided by their negative karma to the ill fruitions [of their negative actions].   If they fall into the suffering realms experiencing great suffering, remember my instruction to you.  Here, in the Trayastrimsas Palace, I earnestly entrust in you [the responsibility for] the deliverance of all sentient beings from now to the advent of Maitreya.  [Deliver them] so they will forever leave suffering.  [Deliver them] so they shall all meet Buddhas and receive prophecies predicting that they shall become Buddhas themselves."

At that time, all the separate emanations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva from all the countless worlds merged into one form.  [Deeply moved by the incredible responsibility entrusted to him], shedding tears of compassion, he addressed the Buddha, saying, "For many kalpas, I have received guidance from many Buddhas which allowed me to attain inconceivable divine powers and great wisdom.  My emanations cover all worlds, as numerous as all the sands of trillions of Ganges Rivers.  In each one of these worlds, I manifest trillions of emanations.  Every emanation delivers trillions of beings enabling them to seek refuge in the Three Jewels, forever leaving the cycle of life and death, and delivering [them] until [they] attain the joy of nirvana.  If they have performed any virtuous deed in the Buddha-dharma - even if it is as small as a strand of hair, a droplet of water, a grain of sand, a speck of dust or even a bit of hair - I shall gradually deliver and liberate them, enabling them to attain great benefits.  I only hope that the World Honored One does not worry about [the deliverance of] those beings of future generations with negative karma."

Chapter 3:  Contemplation of Karmic Fruitions of Sentient Beings' Malicious Actions

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied, "There are [millions upon] millions of worlds and lands--within some there are hells and within others there are not.  Within some there are women and within others there are not.  Within some there is Buddha-dharma and within others there is not.  Likewise, this applies to the presence or absence of Sravakas and Pratyeka-Buddhas in the various worlds. Thus, karmic retributions do not occur in hells alone."

Lady Maya restated her question, "I wish to hear about the hells that arise from the malicious actions [of sentient beings] in Jambudvipa."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied, "Holy Mother, since that is your wish, I shall briefly address this subject."

The Buddha's mother said, "Please do, Holy One."

At that time, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said to the Holy Mother, "In Jambudvipa, the karmic retributions for various malicious actions are as follows:  If there are beings who disregard their filial duties toward their parents and even harm or kill them, those who do so shall fall into Avici Hell.  Even after trillion of kalpas, there is still without a date for their release.  If there are beings who sheds the blood of a Buddha, slander the Three Jewels or disrespect the sutras, those who do so also shall fall into Avici Hell.  Even after trillion of kalpas, there is still without a date for their release.  If there are beings who infringe upon or steal Buddhist organizations' properties, slander monks or nuns, indulge in carnal lust or harm or kill within a sangharama (monastery), those who do so shall fall into Avici Hell.   Even after trillion of kalpas, there is still without a date for their release.   There may be beings who pretend to be monks/nuns by taking the monastic vows, but in their hearts do not uphold these vows.  Then using their positions, they abuse the monastery and its related properties, cheat the laity [by taking their offerings to true monks/nuns], violate the precepts or commits various other sins.   Those who do so shall fall into Avici Hell.  Even after trillions of kalpas, there is still without a date for their release.  If there are beings who steal any property from Buddhist establishments -- whether it is money or food or fabrics -- or take any kind of article whatsoever without permission, those who do so shall fall into Avici Hell.  Even after trillions of kalpas, there is still without a date for their release."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, "Holy Mother, if there are beings who committed these aforementioned sins, they shall fall into the fivefold Avici Hell, where they cannot receive a moment of reprieve from their ceaseless sufferings."

Lady Maya addressed Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva again, asking, "[For the sake of all that are present and those in the future], what is this hell known as Avici?"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied, "Holy Mother, the various hells are situated inside the Great Cakravada Mountains.  Of grand hells, there are eighteen.  Also, there are five hundred major hells all with different names.  Then, there are hundreds of thousands of hells of a lesser category, all with different names as well.  Among all these hells, there is one known as Avici.  As for Avici Hell, it is in an iron fortress.  This iron fortress's walls encircle more than twenty-six thousand four hundred miles and are three thousand three hundred miles high.  Made entirely out of iron, there are fierce flames everywhere on top of these walls.   Within this iron fortress, there are many hells which are all inter-connected and all with different names.  Only one of these hells is known as Avici.  The walls of this [Avici] Hell encircle five thousand nine hundred forty miles and is three hundred thirty miles high.  It is also completely made of iron, and fierce flames shoot out of these walls.  The flames from the top of the walls shoot down, covering the walls entirely from top to bottom.  Also, the flames from the bottom shoots up, covering the walls entirely from bottom to top.  Then, there are iron snakes and iron dogs that breath out fire and run along these walls."

"Within this hell, there is a torture rack.  This rack is so large that it covers three thousand three hundred miles.  When the rack is used on only one sinner, this sinner will see his body being stretched out to cover the entire rack.  When tens of million of beings are punished together, each will only see his body being stretched out to cover the entire rack.  Such is the karmic retributions for their malicious deeds."

"Furthermore, these sinful beings experience other sufferings.  There are hundreds of thousands of yaksas and other wicked demons with sword-like teeth and eyes [that seem] like [it shoot out] lightning flashes.  There are those yaksas who have hands like bronze claws dragging sinners on the floor of hells.  Then, there are yaksas who thrust great spears into the sinners' bodies, mouths, noses, abdomens or backs.  [Then, using the spears impaled in the sinners' bodies, these yaksas] hurl sinners up into the air, or hurl sinners onto torture racks.  Additionally, there are iron hawks that peck at these sinners' eyes.  Then, there are iron serpents that strangle these sinners by constricting their necks.   [Other punishment includes] hundreds of long nails being driven into sinners' various limbs and joints; their tongues are pulled out and plowed; their intestines are ripped out and chopped to pieces; molten bronze are poured into sinners' mouths; white-hot iron [bars] are coiled around their bodies.  These sinners die [from these punishments] countless thousands of times only to be brought back to life to suffer again.  These are the karmic retributions [for their evil acts].  Even after millions of kalpas, there is still not a definite date for their release."

"When the hell realm disintegrates along with this world [from decays], these sinners will be transported to the hells of another world. When that other world disintegrates as well, they will be transported to yet another world's hells. This transportation will continue until the world from which they originated reforms [along with its hells].  Then, they will be returned to the hells of their original world [to serve out their sentences].  Such is the karmic retributions in Avici Hell."

"Furthermore, this hell is known as Avici (uninterrupted) because of five karmic retributions.  What are these five?"

"Firstly, the suffering occurs both day and night, kalpa after kalpa without any moment of stoppage (the time of suffering is uninterrupted).  Hence, it is called Avici. "

"Secondly, one person fills it completely, and many people also fill it completely (uninterrupted by forms). Hence, it is called Avici."

"Thirdly, implements of punishment includes forks, clubs, hawks, snakes, jackals, and dogs.  [The bodies of the sinners] are milled, grinded, sawed, drilled, filed, and chopped.  [They are] thrown in boiling pots, wrapped in iron nets and ropes [embedded with countless needles which pierce their bodies], and iron mules and horses [which stomp sinners into bits].  The sinners' bodies are skinned, and the skins are wrapped on their heads, molten iron is poured onto their bodies.  When hungry, they are fed iron balls.  When thirsty, they are fed molten iron.  This continues for year after year and kalpa after kalpa until countless kalpas have passed.  These punishments are linked and the sufferings are uninterrupted, hence it is called Avici."

"Fourthly, regardless whether they are males or females, regardless of their race, regardless whether they are young or old, rich or poor, nagas or gods, devas or ghosts--for all who fall into this hell, the karmic retribution [for their karma] is the same without any difference in punishment (karmic retributions uninterrupted by the sinners' sex, race, age, etc.).  Hence, it is called Avici."

"Fifthly, if fallen into this hell, from the time these beings enter until the hundred thousands of kalpas in the future, every day and night, they will die many thousands of times and be revived to die yet again.  Despite their constant pleadings, they are unable to receive even a moment of reprieve unless their negative karma has been exhausted.  Only then will these beings escape and be reborn into another realm.  Otherwise, their lives in Avici continue (uninterrupted life span in Avici Hell until their negative karma is exhausted).  Hence, it is called Avici."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva concluded his explanation to the Holy Mother, saying, "This is a brief description of Avici Hell.  To speak in detail about this hell, the names of the punishment implements, and the various forms of suffering within, this cannot be done within one kalpa of time."

Chapter 4:  The Karmic Retributions to the Sentient Beings' Actions in Jambudvipa

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