Significance of Mara
In Dutch: Mara; In German: Mara; In Finnish: Mara; In Spanish: Mara; In Swedish: Mara; In Malay: Mara; In French: Mara; In Portugese: Mara; In Italian: Mara; In Polish: Mara
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Mara'
In Buddhism, Mara embodies obstacles, temptations, and distractions that hinder enlightenment. Often personified as a demon, Mara challenges practitioners with desire, fear, and doubt, impeding spiritual progress and the realization of the Buddha's true nature. Overcoming Mara signifies triumph over internal and external hindrances.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) clouded Ananda’s mind, causing him not to answer the Buddha’s questions, which led to the Buddha’s premature entry into nirvana.[1] (2) It involves explanation at length, activity, accumulated wisdom, accumulating good dharmas, possessing wisdom personally, the vigor of wisdom, accumulating the wisdoms, being endowed with seven jewels, knowing remedies well, realizing personal benefit, destroying disturbing emotions, not wasting away, realizing one’s own good, the knowledge of good planning, omniscience and awareness in all aspects, the eighteen special attributes of the Buddhas, completely penetrating the nature of things, possessing the Buddha eye, obtaining the first three unobstructed knowledges, mastery of omniscience.[2] (3) Mara's works is what the bodhisattvas have gone beyond, indicating their transcendence of temptation and obstacles.[3] (4) Mara, according to the passage, approached the Buddha during his six years of austerity, offering advice and threatening to destroy him with great armies if he persisted in his efforts.[4] (5) Mara, also known as king Mo, questioned the Shuddhavasika gods about their claim that the brahmins were not a field of merit.[5]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) Maras are mentioned as beings who may come to ask questions, suggesting that even those who might be considered obstacles to enlightenment are included in the audience.[6] (2) This refers to those who perceive the non-eternal as eternal, suffering as bliss, impure as pure, and non-self as self.[7] (3) Demonic entities that try to distract and hinder practitioners on their path to enlightenment.[8] (4) Symbolizes temptation and obstruction in spiritual practice, akin to the forces that may distract beings from realizing the Tathagata's true nature.[9] (5) A demon representing temptation and illusion, often seeking to distract practitioners from their spiritual path; mentioned during the Buddha's interaction with different beings.[10]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Mara is a being representing lusts and obstacles, who was defeated by the Exalted One's enlightenment and whose daughters attempted to sway him.[11] (2) A demon representing temptation and distraction, who seeks to lead the Bodhisattva astray.[12] (3) A deity in Buddhist tradition often associated with temptation and hindrance to enlightenment.[13] (4) A personification of temptation and illusion, depicted in the sutra as actively trying to distract and dissuade the Bodhisattva during his quest for enlightenment.[14] (5) The demon who represents temptation and the fearful challenges that arise on the journey to enlightenment.[15]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The entity representing temptation and spiritual obstruction in Buddhism, often depicted as attempting to distract practitioners from their path.[16] (2) Forces of temptation and distraction that challenge the resolve of those seeking enlightenment.[17] (3) In Buddhism, Mara represents the personification of temptation and obstacles to enlightenment that one must overcome on the spiritual path.[18] (4) Entities that embody obstacles or temptations on the path to enlightenment, often represented in Buddhist teachings as distractions.[19]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The king of heavenly demons who represents obstacles to enlightenment and is fearful of the rising number of awakened beings.[20]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) The Genius of Evil who opposes Siddhartha's pursuit of enlightenment by trying to distract him.[21]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) The personification of delusion and obstacles that hinder one's spiritual progress towards enlightenment.[22]
From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)
(1) The evil one, who might adopt the disguise of Buddha, causing terror until Buddha-wisdom is displayed.[23]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Mara, as described, attempted to tempt the Buddha to become a king, believing that kingship would lead to negligence and provide an opportunity to molest the Buddha.[24] (2) The Evil One, who entered the belly of Maha Moggallana while he was taking a walk and sat on the larger intestine.[25] (3) The ten modes of wrong deeds, in short, the group of unwholesome acts, are the associates of this being.[26] (4) The Bodhisatta does not give his body or its parts to this being or his company of deities who wish to cause injury to him, or to those possessed by them.[27] (5) The personification of temptation who attempted to disturb Rahula but ultimately disappeared.[28]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Mara represents the forces of evil or negative influences that attack the mind, and the text emphasizes the need to oppose Mara with the weapon of wisdom.[29] (2) This is a reference to a specific entity mentioned in the text.[30] (3) The unwholesome factor representing temptation and hindrance that the Buddha overcame.[31] (4) A being representing temptation and distraction, whose influence led the wives to behave improperly in the monastery.[32] (5) A personified force of temptation and obstacle in Buddhism, depicted as unable to defeat the self-conquest of an enlightened individual.[33]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) This is the Evil One, which represents the kilesas and their destructive nature, leading beings to harm and destruction.[34] (2) It refers to the nature of it, and it creates endless imaginary ideas to deceive us, and those who practice anapanasati should remember what its “face” looks like when you meet it.[35] (3) A metaphorical figure representing temptation and distraction, which leads beings away from the path of enlightenment.[36]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) Mara, also known as the wicked One, approached the Blessed One with the intention of binding him with fetters, but ultimately failed in this endeavor.[37] (2) The demon representing temptation and obstacles that hinder spiritual advancement.[38]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) The embodiment of desire and temptation that can impede enlightenment.[39] (2) The Evil One who represents temptation and distraction from the path of Dhamma.[40]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) A mythical figure representing temptation and spiritual obstruction in Buddhist teachings.[41] (2) A figure that symbolizes temptation and illusion, who questioned Bhikkhuni Vajira about the existence of a creator and living beings.[42]
From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)
(1) This is a tempter who can repeatedly cause distress and difficulties, similar to how a stream can repeatedly crush reeds, and it is something that individuals must overcome.[43] (2) A figure representing temptation and distraction from spiritual enlightenment, often seen as an obstacle on the path to holiness.[44]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Mara, also known as the Evil One, approached the Lord and attempted to assert his power by claiming the Lord was bound by snares, but ultimately vanished, pained and afflicted.[45] (2) A being symbolizing temptation and distraction, which influences the mind of individuals, including Ananda.[46]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A demon that represents the temptations and distractions that lead individuals away from spiritual goals.[47]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) Represented as the King of Darkness, an allegorical figure representing temptation and distraction from enlightenment.[48]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) Represents the concept of temptation and distraction that prevents individuals from achieving spiritual enlightenment.[49]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) A figure representing obstacle and temptation, against whom the Buddha emanated mettá to conquer during his path to Buddhahood.[50]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) The concept of death as a killer; used metaphorically to represent the forces leading to suffering.[51]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) This is the name of the evil one, who, according to the text, created obstacles and interfered with the Tathagata's experiences, specifically with the offering of alms.[52]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) The Evil one who caused accidents to the individual during his travels, representing obstacles on the spiritual path.[53] (2) A demon or spiritual obstacle in Buddhist doctrine, representing challenges in spiritual practice.[54] (3) The personification of temptation and doubt that attempted to distract the Bodhisattva from his meditation.[55]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) This is said to be, O bhikkhus! to have made an end of trackless, Mara; having killed, he went away from the evil one to where Mara's eyes could not see, as the text mentions.[56] (2) A metaphorical figure representing temptation and distraction on the path to enlightenment.[57] (3) A demon who embodies spiritual obstacles, particularly desire and distraction.[58] (4) The Evil One, a spiritual adversary who attempts to distract the Buddha from his path to enlightenment.[59]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) The embodiment of desire and temptation that attempts to thwart the Bodhisattva's quest for enlightenment.[60]
From: Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies
(1) This is a character in the narrative, and the Buddha encounters him, as the text mentions, and it is a part of a specific event within the Buddha's life.[61]
Hindu concept of 'Mara'
In Hinduism, Mara is represented by the cuckoo's harsh song, which symbolizes reproachful utterances. This sound is unpleasant and causes pain to Naravahanadatta.
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A figure whose reproachful utterances are symbolized by the harsh song of the cuckoo, causing pain to Naravahanadatta's ears.[62]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) Mara plays a role similar to Satan in the Bible, creating temptations that are intended to lead people away from their spiritual path.[63]
Jain concept of 'Mara'
In Jainism, Mara encompasses a region ruled by the Vitabhaya king, the site of Hari and Gauri's marriage. It also symbolizes battle and physical impact, representing conflict and potential harm.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Mara is the region where the king of Vitabhaya resides, and it is also where Hari married Gauri and placed her in a house near Susima’s.[64] (2) (मार, mara), signifies battle.[65] (3) Beating; a term that implies physical impact.[66]
The concept of Mara in local and regional sources
Mara is a tempter figure who tried to disturb and derail a spiritual figure from their path. He used beautiful maidens, but failed.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) He was tormented by this figure who tempted him with a bevy of beautiful maidens, but he remained undisturbed and his spirit triumphed.[67]
The concept of Mara in scientific sources
Mara is a multi-faceted term. It signifies 'death' in Sanskrit, highlighting risk. Additionally, Mara is an entity that, alongside others, supported the project. This entity is associated with Selangor, Malaysia, and its Faculty of Medicine.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) MARA is an entity, along with Selangor, Malaysia and the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia, which provided support.[68]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) It is a school-based PA intervention that uses ICT, and it could promote social co-benefits that consist in increasing cohesion in the friendship network.[69]