My Mother Met Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva 我母親遇見地藏王菩薩的經歷

(English subtitles) Lectured by Professor Chuntang Zhou 周春塘教授
Subtitle:
Today, I am going to talk about the special affinity of my mother and Buddhism. When she was pregnant with me, she had a very large belly. She worried it was twins. The hospital said, If it's twins, I won't deliver your baby. In the early days, medical technology was poor. they didn't know how to handle difficult cases. So my mother worried every day. We lived in Nanjing at that time. Has anyone been to Nanjing? It's No. 16, Orchid Garden, Orchid Village, Nanjing, where I was born. Our family was well off, and we had a brick house. When the Japanese attacked Nanjing, Our house was spared, we left there for the officers. Not only has it not been destroyed,
but it has been maintained even better. After the victory of the war, we returned and still lived there. So I have a deep affinity for the scene when my mother met Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
We have doors in our front and back yards. Both the doors are always closed. Suddenly, an old monk showed up in the yard and said Amitabha Buddha to her. Back then, she didn't believe in Buddhism and didn't recite the Buddha. She didn't know the meaning of Amitabha. Anyway, she also bowed to him in greeting. He had acquainted with my mother. He knew her name and knew her husband's name, knew she had 4 children, I am the 5th. He also spoke the names of the 4 children. Back then, we had a maid saying: “You hang around here every day. Of course you know the names of the children and adults in our family. No big deal”, and said: “You better go! Or, later, when my master returns, he will drive you out.” Back then, my father didn't believe in Buddhism either. However, that old monk was patient.
2:00
He told my mother:”You don't need to worry. It's not twins, it's just a bigger baby. It's chubbier, and it's a boy. When he is born, he won't cry and won't yell. He will be safe, and you will be fine. He also predicted the date of my birth. Back then, it was 1935, I was born in Sep, and he came in Jul. “There are two more months, and you will give birth,” he said. As predicted, she gave birth safely. Sure enough, I didn't cry or hum. Not only did I not cry, but I didn't talk until I was 4 years old. The old monk said, “This baby will be very quiet.” It's unexpectedly quiet. The average boy will definitely cry, this kid won't cry. Later, I know why. Seeing the old monk is a Bodhisattva in th belly, I was scared to death.
At that moment, he told my mother: ”I am from Jiuhua Mountain,” he said. At that moment, he told my mother: “I am from Jiuhua Mountain.” In his hand he held a gilded booklet. It has Jiuhua Mount written across the top. Directly written Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. She saw Jiuhua Mount Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. “I am from Jiuhua Mount,” he said, ”I came to ask for alms.” “I don't have money,” she said. “I don't want money,” he said. “Would you like to write that you will give us 50 Kg sesame oil ?” He asked. At that time, my parents didn't believe in Buddhism. My mother was cheated out of money once. Hearing people asking to write the money, she was shocked. “Venerable monk, how about this,” she said, “50 Kg is too many, do you accept 10 Kg?” “Sure,” said the monk. Then he wrote on a piece of paper. Hui Cin Zhou Yang donates 10 Kg sesame oil.
4:00
“Can you light a fire and burn that piece of paper?” After the paper is burnt, “Well, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva knew it at Jiuhua Mount. Anytime you are available, you go write your name and deliver the 10 Kg oil. If you come in person, I wll welcome you in person. If you ask someone to come, a disciple will receive him on my behalf.” Soon after, the resistance war broke out, she no longer had time. She was never available to go to Jiuhua Mount. It is very regrettable. Later, as she gradually studied Buddhism, recalled the conversation and manner at that time and found that is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. When he came in, he was wearing a robe and a monk's hat. A string of rosary beads were hanging from the neck to the floor. Both hands are holding rosary beads that are hanging to the ground, Very majestic, very special.
After she agreed to donate, he left. Our maid walked him out, opened the door and saw him off. Then the maid ran back, yelling: “Madam, madam, terribly, that man went out and disappeared immediately.” This is the story. “Fortunately, my husband isn't at home, Or, if he knew I donate 10 Kg oil, he would scold me.” she said at that time. Anyway, she forgot this thing. After a long time, she began to study Buddhism, converted to the 3 Jewels of Buddhism and knew who is Amitabha Buddha. She gradually recalled that memory, knowing she missed a great opportunity, that was a Bodhisattva, that was the incarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to have a affinity with her and guide her to Buddhism.