CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF KSHITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA'S BIRTHDAY, 29th Day of the 7th Lunar Month, Buddhist Era 2565

/Kshitigarbha's virtue is boundless
His heart holds wholesome deeds
Delivering beings through countless kalpas
His hand ever holds the golden staff
To rescue beings from the hells
His hand holds the bright, round pearl
Its radiance shines across the great cosmos./

Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, also known as Địa Tạng Bồ Tát, bears a name transliterated from Sanskrit — a title that radiates from his heart of great compassion, his vast vow to deliver all beings, his sacred vow encompassing the entire emptiness of the Dharma realm, his role as lord of the hell realms of greed, hatred, and delusion, and his unshakable resolve on the path of Buddhist cultivation and the salvation of sentient beings. According to the Kshitigarbha Sutra, "Địa" (Earth) signifies deep solidity, while "Tạng" (Store) signifies boundless capacity. Thus, Kshitigarbha is deep and solid enough to hold the countless sufferings of all living beings. In Buddhism, Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva holds an exceedingly important position, possessing boundless spiritual power and infinite compassion. He shares a profound karmic bond with sentient beings and once bore the great responsibility of presiding over an entire realm, a testament to his immense strength and virtue. This strength lies not only in his spiritual power and compassion, but also in his capacity to transform hearts through his noble character and cultivated virtue.

Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva also embodies the noble spirit of filial piety. Throughout his many past lives as recounted in the Kshitigarbha Sutra, he is portrayed time and again as a devoted child to his parents — ever willing to perform wholesome deeds, sacrifice himself, and make great vows to deliver his parents from suffering.
Beyond this, Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva is also known as the protector of all living beings, watching over mothers and infants during childbirth, safeguarding young children, and aiding travelers far from home. Those journeying afar who encounter hardship need only invoke his name with a wholehearted mind, and the Bodhisattva will manifest to offer protection. He draws upon his great power to help beings overcome danger and turmoil, escape darkness and corruption, and find their way to a path of clarity and peace.
Protected and upheld by the heavenly dragons, wholesome fruits grow ever greater day by day. Because Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva's vows and merit in delivering sentient beings are so vast and profound, Shakyamuni Buddha himself declared: "Though praised and extolled for countless kalpas, his virtue can never be fully told." Today, Vietnamese Buddhists observe the 30th day of the 7th lunar month as the day to commemorate the profound grace and virtue of Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva. It is believed that when

one wholeheartedly recites the name of Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva and reverently makes offerings before his sacred image, one may be freed from suffering and spared from falling into the lower realms.

CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF KSHITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA'S BIRTHDAY

, 29th Day of the 7th Lunar Month,

Diệu Tướng Am

respectfully wishes all Venerable Monks and Nuns, esteemed Buddhist followers, and valued customers

"May you attain true and pure cultivation, and may the Dharma's deliverance be perfect and complete."