The observance of penitential Ritual of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is a Buddhist practice that emphases on the method of repentance. During this penitential ritual, Buddhists repent their wrong doings, which cause evil karmas, and search for the eternal serenity both physically and mentally by worshiping Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This thesis intends to explore the historical development of the Penitential Ritual of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and its ritual and musical attributes in modern Taiwanese The Penitential Ritual of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva differs from other penitential rituals in its various liturgical versions. The performance of this ritual in Taiwan is frequently seen in certain Buddhist temples that emphasis on the Dizang Famen (or method of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva) and on the rituals for the dead. It is also common to see that different temples use different texts along with different vocal tunes, and consequently the practice of the Penitential Ritual of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is greatly varied in Taiwan. This thesis analyzes different versions of the Penitential Ritual of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and their liturgical chants, as well as their cultural and religious functions.
