Is Mara an actual entity, or just a personification of the force of delusion that has clouded our minds since time immemorial, and thus has acquired a kind of momentum and energy of it's own, and wishes to preserve it's own 'life', as it were? Or both? If the first, why would any Deva want to hinder folks from getting free from the sensual realm, or free of Samsara altogether? What's in it for them?
kind regards,
manas.
Is Mara an actual entity?
Is Mara an actual entity?
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
Various definitions of Mara from a similar thread.. http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=4644
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
Aren't all entities just a personification of the force of delusion?
chownah
chownah
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
Dear chownah,chownah wrote:Aren't all entities just a personification of the force of delusion?
chownah
That was very insightful. Thanks.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
I'm not sure what you mean by that, chownah. It is true that we carry around these bodies, manifestations of old kamma, due to having been deluded (to varying degrees) in the past. But to say that all entities are a personification of delusion, that's taking it a bit too far and / or not in the way I meant it. The Buddha was an entity too, remember. As are arahants, anagamis, once-returners, stream-enterers...chownah wrote:Aren't all entities just a personification of the force of delusion?
chownah
kind regards,
manas
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
This sutta might answer your question
http://www.vipassana.info/025-nivapa-sutta-e1.htm
"This is a comparison to explain the meaning, this is its meaning. Fodder is a synonym for the five strands of sensual pleasures. The deer feeder is a synonym for Maara the evil one. The Followers of the deer feeder is a synonym for Maara’s following. Wild animals is a synonym for recluses and brahmins."
Makes Mara sound pretty literal.
http://www.vipassana.info/025-nivapa-sutta-e1.htm
"This is a comparison to explain the meaning, this is its meaning. Fodder is a synonym for the five strands of sensual pleasures. The deer feeder is a synonym for Maara the evil one. The Followers of the deer feeder is a synonym for Maara’s following. Wild animals is a synonym for recluses and brahmins."
Makes Mara sound pretty literal.
Like the three marks of conditioned existence, this world in itself is filthy, hostile, and crowded
Re: Is Mara an actual entity?
Ven. Dhammika wrote an interesting article on Mara --------> The Buddha Meets The Dark Lord http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/2009/07/b ... -lord.htmlmanas wrote:Is Mara an actual entity, or just a personification of the force of delusion that has clouded our minds since time immemorial, and thus has acquired a kind of momentum and energy of it's own, and wishes to preserve it's own 'life', as it were? Or both? If the first, why would any Deva want to hinder folks from getting free from the sensual realm, or free of Samsara altogether? What's in it for them?
kind regards,
manas.
"He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Noble Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened One;
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men; he is Awake and Holy. "
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"The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise. "
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men; he is Awake and Holy. "
--------------------------------------------
"The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise. "