Ksitigarbha's Sacred Vow
Ancient Times • From "Ksitigarbha Sutra Legend"
Story Summary
In the ancient realms of Chinese Buddhist mythology, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, known as the Earth Treasury King, made an eternal vow to save all suffering souls in hell. Witnessing the endless torment of the damned, he descended into the underworld, confronting King Yama and vowing not to achieve Buddhahood until every soul was liberated. His compassion shines as a beacon of hope, embodying the promise that no being is beyond redemption.
The Legend
In the timeless age when the cosmos echoed with the whispers of enlightenment, the depths of the underworld groaned with the anguish of countless souls. King Yama, the stern ruler of the ten courts of hell, presided over the realms of retribution, where spirits faced karmic trials for their earthly deeds. Amid the swirling mists of suffering, a luminous presence descended—Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, whose heart overflowed with boundless compassion. Clad in simple monastic robes, he carried a staff to force open the gates of hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to illuminate the darkness. As he walked through the fields of thorns and rivers of fire, the cries of the tormented moved him to tears. He saw souls trapped in cycles of pain, their hopes shattered like fragile dreams, and in that moment, a profound resolve awakened within him.
Approaching King Yama's majestic throne, Ksitigarbha spoke with a voice that resonated like a gentle yet unyielding mountain stream. 'O King of the Netherworld,' he declared, 'I vow to empty the hells of all beings. Until every soul is freed from suffering, I shall not attain Buddhahood.' King Yama, though moved by such devotion, sighed deeply. 'Noble Bodhisattva,' he replied, 'the karmic bonds of these souls are as infinite as the sands of the Ganges. Their liberation may take eons beyond measure.' Undeterred, Ksitigarbha raised his jewel, its light piercing the shadows, and made his pledge anew: 'If hell itself must be my sanctuary, I will dwell here for eternity. For even the lowest spirit carries the seed of awakening.' The very foundations of the underworld trembled at his words, and a golden lotus bloomed beneath his feet, symbolizing the purity of his vow.
Thus, Ksitigarbha began his eternal work, guiding lost souls with teachings of repentance and mercy. He comforted weeping ghosts, offering them sips of wisdom-water to quench their thirst for redemption. In the coldest abysses, his warmth kindled hope; in the fiercest fires, his compassion cooled the flames. King Yama, witnessing this unwavering dedication, bowed in reverence and ordered his hell-guardians to assist the Bodhisattva. Together, they created pathways of light through the gloom, and the once-desperate cries gradually turned into chants of gratitude. Ksitigarbha's legend spread across the three realms, reminding all that compassion knows no bounds—and that even in the deepest darkness, a single vow can illuminate the path to liberation.