地藏王菩萨的愿力最大，他说：

地狱未空，誓不成佛；
众生度尽，方证菩提。

这种精神多么慈悲。菩萨对我们众生非常关心，无微不至。凡是对佛教有信心的人，努力修行的人，地藏王菩萨会在该行者的禅定之中，或梦寐之中，现身为他说法。可惜我们不了解菩萨的用心，反而辜负菩萨的慈悲，实在对不起菩萨。可是菩萨不生气，原谅愚痴众生，仍然不休息普度众生，将众生度尽，他才成佛。

Earth Store Bodhisattva has the greatest vows. He has said, “As long as the hells are not empty, I will not become a Buddha. Only when all living beings have been completely liberated will I become a Buddha.” What a compassionate spirit! This Bodhisattva cares tremendously about us living beings. If someone has faith in Buddhism and applies effort in cultivation, the Bodhisattva will appear in that cultivator’s samadhi or dreams and speak Dharma for him. However, we fail to understand the Bodhisattva’s intentions and appreciate his compassion. We sorely disappoint him, but he doesn’t get angry. He forgives foolish living beings and continues liberating them all without rest. Only after all living beings are liberated will he become a Buddha.

菩萨所做的事情，都是往真处来做，绝对没有丝毫虚伪，纯粹为救众生离苦得乐。

A Bodhisattva does everything with the sincere intent to save beings, alleviate their suffering, and bring them happiness. He is devoid of the slightest trace of hypocrisy.

现在打地藏七，谁有真心，谁就有感应；谁有诚意，谁就有受用。这个受用，并不是得到神通妙用，而是心中清净，没有妄想。没有妄想，便有感应道交的境界现前。有人说：“平安就是感应；知错就是感应；比以前更聪明，这是感应；比以前更能干，这是感应。”说得不错，就是这样的情形。

Now we are having an Earth Store Bodhisattva session, and whoever is true-hearted will have a response. Whoever is sincere will benefit. Benefit doesn’t mean attaining spiritual penetrations, but having a pure, clear mind with no false thoughts. If there are no false thoughts, states of responsive interaction with the Way will appear. Some say, “Peace is a response; recognizing one’s faults is a response; becoming smarter than before is a response; becoming more capable than before is response.” Well said! That’s just how it is.