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Ballad of Earth Store (5:08)

To end her mother's misery was her quest,
To end her mother's misery was her quest.
Her vows she professed, a filial child so blessed;
To end her mother's misery was her quest.

I return, I rely, on the Bodhisattva King of Great Vows;
I return, I rely, on the Bodhisattva King of Great Vows.

He makes his home deep in the hells,
He makes his home deep in the hells.
Well, it's deep in the hells that this Bodhisattva dwells,
He makes his home deep in the hells.

I return, I relyˇK

He shakes his staff and makes the suffering end,
He shakes his staff and makes the suffering end.
Then living beings karma starts the whole thing up again,
After he shakes his staff and the suffering ends.

I return, I relyˇK

Until the hells are empty he won't rest,
Until the hells are empty he won't rest.
Saving those who've transgressed is the thing that he does best,
Until the hells are empty he won't rest.

I return, I relyˇK

The fires of the hells won't make him move,
The fires of the hells won't make him move.
So firm are his vows, he'll stay there till we improve.
The fires of the hells won't make him move.

I return, I relyˇK

It's best to practice patience when you're stressed,
It's best to practice patience when you're stressed.
King Yama's unimpressed with your cries of protest.
It's best to practice patience when you're stressed.

I return, I relyˇK

© Rev. Heng Sure 2005 All Rights Reserved
Lyrics and music: Rev. Heng Sure

 
Notes:
   Earth Store Bodhisattva (Ksitigarbha) has the greatest vows among the Bodhisattvas in the Buddhist pantheon. He vows to go down to the hells and not return until they are empty of sufferers. ˇ§I return and rely on the Bodhisattva King of Great Vows" means I go for spiritual refuge to the Awakened Being, Earth Store Bodhisattva.

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