The Great Vow Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is one of the four major Bodhisattvas. His compassionate vow profoundly affects not only the living, but also the departed. All merits accrued from reciting the sutras will be transferred to our living relatives, to eradicate their karmic obst ructions and increase their virtuous roots, and to our deceased relatives, to free them from suffering and to help them attain bliss, and to promote their rebirth in the Western Pure Land.