Māra

[Sekha]

is he a being endowed with 5 khandhas or is it just a poetical term?

[acinteyyo]

Hi,

it's a pesonalisation but not in fact a being.

best wishes, acinteyyo

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

The Five Māras

So, it depends on the context. Māra may refer to a being with five aggregates, the five aggregates themselves can be called Māra, the defilements are Māra, and gaining freedom from death (Arahantship) is to escape from the clutches of Māra, which is a synonym for death.

Māra devaputta appeared several times to the Buddha, and to his disciples. See for example, the Vajirā Sutta or the Māratajjaniya Sutta

[Laurens]

I always thought that Māra was an aspect of ourselves, not a seperate entity.

The idea that he is an actual being is a tad too ridiculous for me.

[Reductor]

I always thought that Māra was an aspect of ourselves, not a seperate entity.

The idea that he is an actual being is a tad too ridiculous for me.

Why?

[Sekha]

The Five Māras

So, it depends on the context. Māra may refer to a being with five aggregates, the five aggregates themselves can be called Māra, the defilements are Māra, and gaining freedom from death (Arahantship) is to escape from the clutches of Māra, which is a synonym for death.

Māra devaputta appeared several times to the Buddha, and to his disciples. See for example, the Vajirā Sutta or the Māratajjaniya Sutta

thanx for this short and accurate reply

I always thought that Māra was an aspect of ourselves, not a seperate entity.

The idea that he is an actual being is a tad too ridiculous for me.

As long as we have no perception of deva worlds we can't say anything about what happens there. If the Buddha or Ananda says so, there is certainly a reason

[bodom]

I always thought that Māra was an aspect of ourselves, not a seperate entity.

The idea that he is an actual being is a tad too ridiculous for me.

Why?

Buddhist version of the devil.

[Sekha]

There is a translation of Māratajjaniya Sutta here :
http://www.mahindarama.com/e-tipitaka/M ... /mn-50.htm

[David N. Snyder]

See also: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3318&p=48457#p48457

Mara sometimes gets translated as 'Satan' or devil and in the Suttas we see him called "evil one" but strangely, Mara (the being, if you espouse a personal being of Mara) is not in hell at all. He resides in one of the lower deva realms. Perhaps it is out of ego or jealousy that he prevents or attempts to prevent Bodhisattas from becoming enlightened?

If you take a Mara as mind and mental states stance, then that would not be an issue.

[Reductor]

I always thought that Māra was an aspect of ourselves, not a seperate entity.

The idea that he is an actual being is a tad too ridiculous for me.

Why?

Buddhist version of the devil.

Oh, I know. But to be similar in aspect to the Theistic devil doesn't negate the possibility of his existence. Not to say you must believe Mara is a real being. The concept works alright even without said belief... but I can't see a good reason to dismiss the possibility as ridiculous.

When ever Mara's in the same scene as Buddha, I figured him to be a real being. Otherwise I allow that it might be a fancy name for craving, aversion and delusion, pain, pleasure, etc.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

He resides in one of the lower deva realms

No, he resides in the highest deva realm of the sensual planes — paranimmita-vasavatti devaloka

The way I see it, Māra is like a materialistic multi-billionaire who is able to enjoy whatever sensual pleasures he wishes to enjoy. He is not a scrooge figure who doesn't enjoy his wealth, but he thinks that sensual enjoyment is the highest bliss, and is totally oblivious to the truth of suffering. He has everything to lose from the teachings of the Buddha, which say that sensual pleasures are empty and void, impermanent and unstable, and not worthy of our interest. Therefore, Māra is vehemently opposed to the Dhamma.

Other devas, like Sakka in Tāvatiṃsa, or the Bodhisatta's mother in Tusita, are also able to enjoy sensual pleasures whenever they wish, but being Noble Ones, they have great confidence in and respect for the Dhamma, since they understand the suffering inherent in existence and the pursuit of sensual pleasures.

[David N. Snyder]

Hi Bhante,

I meant the lower deva realms in terms of looking at all of the deva realms, including the rupa-loka and arupa loka, which would place him at #11 on the list to #31. But I realize that 28-31 is not necessarily 'higher' to the Pure Abodes, so thanks for the information.

Mara sounds eerily familiar to some 'celebrities' we see in the modern world.