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. “I return and rely on the Bodhisattva King of Great Vows" means I go for spiritual refuge to the Awakened Being, Earth Store Bodhisattva.

Ballad of Earth Store

(wmv file: 90.3 Mb)

 

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

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

I return, I rely ...

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 rely…

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 rely…

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 rely…

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 rely…

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 rely…