Buddha and Mara: The Ultimate Triumph of Good over Evil

Introduction

The story of Buddha and Mara, represents a pivotal moment in the spiritual journey of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of the Buddhist religion. The story came to be mythologized in Buddhist lore as the greatest battle of good against evil. This article explores the significance of Buddha’s encounter with Mara, the various temptations presented, and the profound lessons we can learn from this timeless tale. But, first of all we will examine the nature of Mara in Buddhist mythology.

^{Featured image: myself, Battle with Mara, CC BY-SA 3.0}

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Introduction
Who is the demon Mara?
Buddha and Mara: The Encounter
Buddha’s Enlightenment: The Buddhist Perspective
Buddha and Mara: Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Who is the demon Mara?

Mara, often depicted as the embodiment of desire, represents the forces of ignorance and delusion in Buddhist mythology. He is a cunning entity who seeks to prevent sentient beings from attaining enlightenment.

In Buddhist literature, there are various interpretations and manifestations of Mara. He is not seen as a single entity but rather as a collective term encompassing different aspects of delusion, temptation and the forces that obstruct one’s spiritual progress. The number of Maras in Buddhism can vary depending on the specific tradition or text being referenced. The word Mara derives from a Sanskrit causative root “mr” meaning “causing death”.

In general, Mara is often depicted as an embodiment of negative qualities and desires that hinder one’s path towards enlightenment. He represents the illusionary nature of worldly existence and the attachments and cravings that keep beings trapped in the cycle of samsara. In art, Mara is often depicted as an anthropomorphic demon.

Buddha and Mara: The demon Mara — ^{Under the Bo, Māra, CC BY-SA 3.0}

While the concept of Mara can be found in various Buddhist scriptures and teachings, there is no fixed number of Maras specified in the Buddhist texts. However, some sources mention different forms or manifestations of Mara, including:

Klesa Mara

This aspect of Mara represents the defilements and mental afflictions, such as greed, hatred, and ignorance, that arise within individuals and create obstacles on the path to liberation.

Devaputra Mara

Devaputra Mara, the Deva (king) of the sensual realm, refers to the temptation and seduction by the gods or celestial beings. These beings, despite their pleasant appearances, can create distractions and hinder one’s spiritual progress.

Skandha Mara

Skandha Mara symbolizes the attachment to the five aggregates of existence (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness) and the belief in a fixed and inherent self. This form of Mara represents the illusion of personal identity and the ego’s grasping.

Maccu Mara

Maccu Mara, also known as the “Death Mara” or “Lord of Death”, represents the fear and terror associated with the inevitability of death. It represents the impermanence of life and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, the personification of death. Mara appears to have been based on a drought Vedic deity “Namuci”, the evil one. In his “Dictionary of Paali Proper Names”, the famous Buddhist scholar and Professor Gunapala Malalasekera introduces Maara as “The Tempter”, “The Evil One” and “The embodiment of Death”.

These are just a few examples of the different manifestations of Mara found in ancient Buddhist teachings. The focus is not on quantifying the number of Maras but on recognizing the various ways in which delusion, temptation, and obstacles can arise in our lives and hinder our spiritual growth.

A detailed and in-depth analysis on Mara is provided by Buddhist scholar and writer, Ananda W.P. Guruge in his book: “The Buddha’s Encounters with Mara, the Tempter: Their Representation in Literature and Art”.

Ultimately, the concept of Mara serves as a reminder for Buddhists to cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion in order to overcome the obstacles and illusions that hinder their path towards liberation and awakening.

Buddha and Mara: The Great Battle — *^{A 10th-century icon depicting Mara’s lustful daughters and demonic army trying to tempt the Buddha}*

Buddha and Mara: The Encounter

After years as a wandering ascetic, the Buddha sat under the tranquil shade of a pipal tree, now called the Bodhi Tree, where he immersed himself in deep meditation, seeking understanding and liberation from the cycle of suffering. According to legend, on the eve of attaining Buddhahood, the demon Mara appeared before Siddhartha and tried to divert him from attaining enlightenment.

In his relentless pursuit to hinder Buddha’s enlightenment, Mara employed various forms of temptation.

Buddha and Mara: Calling the Earth to witness — *^{Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand, 002 Calling the Earth to Witness (9140835199), CC BY 2.0}*

The Seductive Illusions

Understanding the power of desire and attachment, Mara targeted the Buddha in his quest to disrupt his path to awakening. First was “kama” (lust).Mara employed a range of seductive illusions and sensual pleasures to tempt the Buddha. He created a mirage of magnificent palaces, filled with beautiful objects, luxurious pleasures, and a vision of beautiful women, which according to various legends, were Mara’s three daughters.

The story goes that Mara sent his three lustful daughters, Tanha (Craving), Arati (Discontent), and Raga (Passion), trying to seduce Siddhartha, the Buddha-to-be. The three beautiful daughters symbolize the three types of desire that entangle human beings. Tanha represents the desire for sensory pleasures, Arati embodies the discontent that arises from unfulfilled desires, and Raga personifies passion and lust.

These illusions aimed to awaken desire, attachment, and craving within the Buddha’s mind, diverting him from the achievement of enlightenment. However, the Buddha sat still and remained in meditation.

The Army of Fear

Next, Mara sought to evoke fear and doubt within Buddha. He brought an army of terrifying creatures and natural disasters, aiming to unsettle the Buddha’s resolve. By instilling fear and anxiety, Mara tried to disrupt the Buddha’s unwavering focus and confidence.

Mara unleashed his formidable army of fear upon the Buddha. Riding an elephant himself, Mara charged towards the Buddha. The demonic army embodied various forms of terror, including monstrous creatures, thunderous sounds, and ominous visions. These manifestations aimed to overwhelm the Buddha’s senses and create doubt in his mind. However, the Buddha remained unperturbed, understanding the transitory nature of fear and doubt.

Doubts and Inner Conflicts

Mara’s influence extended beyond external manifestations of fear. He attempted to sow seeds of doubt and confusion within the Buddha’s mind. Mara whispered insidious thoughts, questioning the validity of the Buddha’s quest, his abilities, and the potential for achieving enlightenment. By provoking inner conflicts, Mara hoped to erode the Buddha’s unwavering faith in his path.

Mara’s final temptation targeted Buddha’s ego and spiritual authority. Mara’s temptations centered around fostering a sense of self-importance and superiority in the Buddha. He whispered thoughts of pride, reminding the Buddha of his immense wisdom, his exalted status, and the potential for fame and adulation. Mara sought to distract the Buddha by inflating his ego and diverting his attention from the pursuit of true enlightenment. Yet, the Buddha responded with humility, recognizing the illusory nature of the self and refusing to succumb to the ego’s pitfalls.

Calling the Earth to Witness

According to legend, Mara challenged the Buddha’s legitimacy and questioned his worthiness to attain enlightenment. Mara claimed that the seat of enlightenment belonged to him and not to Siddhartha. Mara’s army of demon soldiers cried out together, “I am his witness!” and Mara challenged Siddhartha, “who will speak for you?”

Seated with the left hand in his lap, Siddhartha reached out to touch the earth with his right hand, in a gesture known as “Bhumisparsa Mudra”, or earth-touching posture. At that moment the earth roared: “I bear you witness!” Following, the earth shook violently and a great flood washed away the demonic army and Mara fled away. It is said that as the morning star rose in the sky, Siddhartha Gautama realized enlightenment and, after innumerable lifetimes, he became the Buddha.

Buddha and Mara: Buddha's Enlightenment — ^{Thiago Santos from São Paulo, Brazil, The Enlightenment (916434768), CC BY-SA 2.0}

In art, the Buddha is often depicted with a halo behind his head, representing radiance and enlightenment and many Buddha statues feature the characteristic posture of touching the earth. Scenes from Buddha’s life, the temptation scene and the victory over Mara, were popular themes in early Buddhist art and can be found on the carved relief panels of the Amaravati sculptures in the British Museum.

Buddha’s Enlightenment: The Buddhist Perspective

Buddhism utilizes the concept of Mara to represent and personify negative qualities found in the human ego and psyche. All Buddhist stories involving Mara, aim to remind Buddhists that demonic forces and evil can be tamed by controlling one’s mind and cravings.

Mara, often portrayed as the embodiment of desire and delusion, represents the egoic tendencies that hinder spiritual growth. Recognizing the vulnerability of the human ego, Mara aimed to exploit it as a means to divert the Buddha from his path to awakening. He enticed the Buddha with the allure of sensual pleasures, thoughts of grandiosity and the desire for recognition. But, also fear and doubt. Mara aimed to divert the Buddha’s attention away from the deeper essence of his being and the universal truths he sought to realize.

However, despite Mara’s persistent temptations, the Buddha remained grounded in humility and non-attachment. He recognized the illusory nature of ego and pride, understanding them as impediments to true awakening. The Buddha’s deep wisdom allowed him to see through Mara’s illusions and remain rooted in the present moment, free from the trappings of self-importance.

The Buddha recognized Mara’s tactics for what they were—illusory manifestations arising from ignorance. The Buddha’s deep understanding and unwavering faith in the Dharma allowed him to confront and overcome these challenges. He saw fear and doubt as obstacles to be acknowledged and transformed rather than as insurmountable barriers.

The Buddha recognized the ephemeral nature of desires and the illusory nature of the ego and pride. This heightened awareness led to the profound moment of enlightenment, liberating him from the cycle of suffering and marking Mara’s ultimate defeat.

The Buddha’s teachings emphasize that true liberation comes from confronting and understanding our fears rather than avoiding or succumbing to them.

Buddha and Mara: Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The story of Buddha’s temptation by the demon Mara resonates across time, cultures, and spiritual traditions. It serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges we encounter on our own paths to self-discovery and enlightenment. The encounter between the demon Mara and the Buddha came to hold deep symbolic meaning. Mara represents the distractions, attachments, and illusions that hinder individuals on their spiritual journeys. The temptations he presents mirror the challenges we face in our daily lives—desires that entice us, doubts that plague us and egos that seek validation.

By understanding the symbolism and lessons inherent in this tale, we can navigate the distractions of desires, doubts, and egos, and cultivate inner clarity and wisdom. By remaining aware of the illusory nature of the ego and cultivating a genuine sense of humility, we can transcend the temptations of pride and pave the way for spiritual growth and awakening.

Buddha’s victory over Mara teaches us invaluable lessons. It reminds us of the impermanence of desires, urging us to cultivate contentment and detachment. It encourages us to face fear and doubt with unwavering resolve, knowing that they too shall pass. Finally, it teaches us the importance of humility, shedding the illusion of a fixed and separate self. Let us draw inspiration from Buddha’s triumph over Mara and strive to overcome the temptations that hinder our journey towards a more enlightened existence.