Difference between revisions of "Mara: embodiment of the death of spiritual life"
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− | [[Mara]]: We have [[heard]] about [[Mara]], the [[Evil]] One from the story of the [[Buddha's]] courageous battle with his armies, minions, and daughters on the evening of his [[enlightenment]] under the [[Bodhi tree]]. | + | [[Mara]]: We have [[heard]] about [[Mara]], the [[Evil]] One from the story of the [[Buddha's]] courageous {{Wiki|battle}} with his armies, minions, and daughters on the evening of his [[enlightenment]] under the [[Bodhi tree]]. |
[[File:Mara71.png|thumb|350px|]] | [[File:Mara71.png|thumb|350px|]] | ||
− | As soon a [[Siddhartha]] started mediating, he was confronted with the figure ofMara, the [[Lord]] of Darkness. [[Mara]] tried to tempt [[Siddhartha]] into despair and in giving up his quest for [[enlightenment]]. | + | As soon a [[Siddhartha]] started mediating, he was confronted with the figure ofMara, the [[Lord]] of Darkness. [[Mara]] tried to tempt [[Siddhartha]] into {{Wiki|despair}} and in giving up his quest for [[enlightenment]]. |
− | Mara's armies are: [[desire]], [[lust]], dislike for the higher [[life]], hunger,thirst, [[craving]], [[sloth and torpor]], {{Wiki|fear}}, cowardice, [[doubt]], [[hypocrisy]], obduracy,gain, praise, [[fame]], {{Wiki|honor}}, false glory, exalting self-despising others. Mara's daughters represent: [[lust]], [[greed]], [[desire]], | + | [[Mara's]] armies are: [[desire]], [[lust]], dislike for the higher [[life]], hunger,thirst, [[craving]], [[sloth and torpor]], {{Wiki|fear}}, cowardice, [[doubt]], [[hypocrisy]], obduracy,gain, praise, [[fame]], {{Wiki|honor}}, false glory, exalting self-despising others. [[Mara's]] daughters represent: [[lust]], [[greed]], [[desire]], {{Wiki|pride}} and [[ignorance]]. [[Mara's]] hordes represent the sum total of our deepest {{Wiki|fears}}. |
− | [[Mara]] can be viewed as the [[embodiment]] of unskillfulness and the [[death]] of the [[spiritual]] [[life]] in all of us. The [[nuns]] at the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] grappled with [[Mara]]. He would sneak into their hearts and [[thoughts]], [[desiring]] to arouse fear,trepidation, and terror. | + | [[Mara]] can be viewed as the [[embodiment]] of unskillfulness and the [[death]] of the [[spiritual]] [[life]] in all of us. The [[nuns]] at the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] grappled with [[Mara]]. He would sneak into their hearts and [[thoughts]], [[desiring]] to arouse fear,trepidation, and {{Wiki|terror}}. |
[[File:Overcoming_mara.jpg|thumb|350px|]] | [[File:Overcoming_mara.jpg|thumb|350px|]] | ||
− | They, Uppalavanna, Cala, [[Soma]], Alavika, [[Gotami]], [[Vijaya]], Upapacala,Sisupacala, Sela, Vajira, to name but a few of the [[nuns]], caught [[Mara]] immediately and answered him with brilliant replies whereby [[Mara]] sneaks away,caught in the act, foiled again his tricks. | + | They, [[Uppalavanna]], Cala, [[Soma]], Alavika, [[Gotami]], [[Vijaya]], Upapacala,Sisupacala, Sela, [[Vajira]], to [[name]] but a few of the [[nuns]], caught [[Mara]] immediately and answered him with brilliant replies whereby [[Mara]] sneaks away,caught in the act, foiled again his tricks. |
− | Several years ago, on [[Visakha]] [[Puja]], [[Ajahn]] Amaro gave a brilliant [[Dhamma talk]]. He assumed the {{Wiki|voice}} of [[Mara]], as George Saunders, a British characteractor who often played the role of an oily cad. | + | Several years ago, on [[Visakha]] [[Puja]], [[Ajahn]] Amaro gave a brilliant [[Dhamma talk]]. He assumed the {{Wiki|voice}} of [[Mara]], as George Saunders, a {{Wiki|British}} characteractor who often played the role of an oily cad. |
In this {{Wiki|voice}} [[Mara]] confronts the [[Buddha]] and asks him who he [[thinks]] he is that he should be [[enlightened]] as he is a loser who abandoned his wife, son, and palace responsibilities. He couldn't even make it as an [[ascetic]]. He had to start eating again. | In this {{Wiki|voice}} [[Mara]] confronts the [[Buddha]] and asks him who he [[thinks]] he is that he should be [[enlightened]] as he is a loser who abandoned his wife, son, and palace responsibilities. He couldn't even make it as an [[ascetic]]. He had to start eating again. | ||
[[Mara]] shows up in all our [[lives]] whispering such things as: "You could have done better, why don't you have that piece of pie, you deserve it, I need a new I-Pod, you're no smart enough, I see it, I want it, I like it, I get it,If only I had a boy/girlfriend then everything would be alright, why me? I don't like it and it shouldn't be this way. I have really ugly thighs." | [[Mara]] shows up in all our [[lives]] whispering such things as: "You could have done better, why don't you have that piece of pie, you deserve it, I need a new I-Pod, you're no smart enough, I see it, I want it, I like it, I get it,If only I had a boy/girlfriend then everything would be alright, why me? I don't like it and it shouldn't be this way. I have really ugly thighs." | ||
− | For the past many years, I too have started [[hearing]] Mara's {{Wiki|voice}}. Humor and skirmishes have begun with this dark trickster. On the last evening of a past Thanks giving [[Retreat]] with [[Ajahn]] Amaro, I composed a song dedicated to [[Mara]] based on the tune, "I'm Just a [[Gal]] Who Can't Say No." One line read"I'm in your terrible [[grip]]. | + | For the {{Wiki|past}} many years, I too have started [[hearing]] [[Mara's]] {{Wiki|voice}}. [[Humor]] and skirmishes have begun with this dark trickster. On the last evening of a {{Wiki|past}} Thanks giving [[Retreat]] with [[Ajahn]] Amaro, I composed a song dedicated to [[Mara]] based on the tune, "I'm Just a [[Gal]] Who Can't Say No." One line read"I'm in your terrible [[grip]]. |
I always say 'come on let's go' just when I need to do zip." Another [[time]], I wrote an article entitled "[[Hearing]] [[Mara]] on the Loop Trail"which addressed my {{Wiki|fears}} of getting lost, getting stuck, encountering amounta in [[lion]], falling off the mountain and missing the meal. | I always say 'come on let's go' just when I need to do zip." Another [[time]], I wrote an article entitled "[[Hearing]] [[Mara]] on the Loop Trail"which addressed my {{Wiki|fears}} of getting lost, getting stuck, encountering amounta in [[lion]], falling off the mountain and missing the meal. | ||
− | The latest battle with the [[Evil]] One was just a few months ago. I had a bonemarrow biopsy and was waiting for the results which took two weeks. | + | The latest {{Wiki|battle}} with the [[Evil]] One was just a few months ago. I had a bonemarrow biopsy and was waiting for the results which took two weeks. |
− | There were four possibilities: [[nothing]], something to be checked yearly, a quick exit from planet [[earth]], or an extremely rare blood disease called Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia - which I later found out, was the diagnosis.During the next two weeks, Mara's {{Wiki|voice}} was a deep diabolic laugh and then the {{Wiki|voice}} said, "Mettika, you're going to [[die]]." | + | There were four possibilities: [[nothing]], something to be checked yearly, a quick exit from {{Wiki|planet}} [[earth]], or an extremely rare {{Wiki|blood}} {{Wiki|disease}} called Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia - which I later found out, was the diagnosis.During the next two weeks, [[Mara's]] {{Wiki|voice}} was a deep diabolic [[laugh]] and then the {{Wiki|voice}} said, "Mettika, you're going to [[die]]." |
− | Sometimes I was able to feel the {{Wiki|fear}} in the belly which created [[awareness]] and then was able to see [[Mara]] and watch him slunk away. Sometimes I felt the [[pure]] dread of impending [[death]]. [[Mara]] was [[happy]] with that response. | + | Sometimes I was able to [[feel]] the {{Wiki|fear}} in the belly which created [[awareness]] and then was able to see [[Mara]] and watch him slunk away. Sometimes I felt the [[pure]] dread of impending [[death]]. [[Mara]] was [[happy]] with that response. |
− | So, [[Dharma]] friends and wayfarers are on the lookout for [[Mara]] in his many [[forms]]. The worst [[form]] of all is not [[seeing]] or [[hearing]] Mara's whisperings and | + | So, [[Dharma]] friends and wayfarers are on the lookout for [[Mara]] in his many [[forms]]. The worst [[form]] of all is not [[seeing]] or [[hearing]] [[Mara's]] whisperings and becoming entangled, shackled, trapped, upset, blind, [[deaf]], heedless, andunprepared. |
− | We now have the opportunity to catch Mara's armies, minions, and daughters.Stay tuned and [[feel]] free to write to Mara's Desk if you too have had encounters. Drop me a line. | + | We now have the opportunity to catch [[Mara's]] armies, minions, and daughters.Stay tuned and [[feel]] free to write to [[Mara's]] Desk if you too have had encounters. Drop me a line. |
− | Cindy Mettika Hoffman is an [[upasika]] who has long been a part of the [[Abhayagiri]] community. | + | Cindy Mettika Hoffman is an [[upasika]] who has long been a part of the [[Abhayagiri]] {{Wiki|community}}. |
{{R}}[http://www.lakehouse.lk/mihintalava/buddhism03.htm lakehouse.lk] | {{R}}[http://www.lakehouse.lk/mihintalava/buddhism03.htm lakehouse.lk] | ||
[[Category:Mara (demon)]] | [[Category:Mara (demon)]] |
Latest revision as of 10:48, 7 April 2014
Mara: We have heard about Mara, the Evil One from the story of the Buddha's courageous battle with his armies, minions, and daughters on the evening of his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
As soon a Siddhartha started mediating, he was confronted with the figure ofMara, the Lord of Darkness. Mara tried to tempt Siddhartha into despair and in giving up his quest for enlightenment.
Mara's armies are: desire, lust, dislike for the higher life, hunger,thirst, craving, sloth and torpor, fear, cowardice, doubt, hypocrisy, obduracy,gain, praise, fame, honor, false glory, exalting self-despising others. Mara's daughters represent: lust, greed, desire, pride and ignorance. Mara's hordes represent the sum total of our deepest fears.
Mara can be viewed as the embodiment of unskillfulness and the death of the spiritual life in all of us. The nuns at the time of the Buddha grappled with Mara. He would sneak into their hearts and thoughts, desiring to arouse fear,trepidation, and terror.
They, Uppalavanna, Cala, Soma, Alavika, Gotami, Vijaya, Upapacala,Sisupacala, Sela, Vajira, to name but a few of the nuns, caught Mara immediately and answered him with brilliant replies whereby Mara sneaks away,caught in the act, foiled again his tricks. Several years ago, on Visakha Puja, Ajahn Amaro gave a brilliant Dhamma talk. He assumed the voice of Mara, as George Saunders, a British characteractor who often played the role of an oily cad. In this voice Mara confronts the Buddha and asks him who he thinks he is that he should be enlightened as he is a loser who abandoned his wife, son, and palace responsibilities. He couldn't even make it as an ascetic. He had to start eating again. Mara shows up in all our lives whispering such things as: "You could have done better, why don't you have that piece of pie, you deserve it, I need a new I-Pod, you're no smart enough, I see it, I want it, I like it, I get it,If only I had a boy/girlfriend then everything would be alright, why me? I don't like it and it shouldn't be this way. I have really ugly thighs."
For the past many years, I too have started hearing Mara's voice. Humor and skirmishes have begun with this dark trickster. On the last evening of a past Thanks giving Retreat with Ajahn Amaro, I composed a song dedicated to Mara based on the tune, "I'm Just a Gal Who Can't Say No." One line read"I'm in your terrible grip. I always say 'come on let's go' just when I need to do zip." Another time, I wrote an article entitled "Hearing Mara on the Loop Trail"which addressed my fears of getting lost, getting stuck, encountering amounta in lion, falling off the mountain and missing the meal. The latest battle with the Evil One was just a few months ago. I had a bonemarrow biopsy and was waiting for the results which took two weeks.
There were four possibilities: nothing, something to be checked yearly, a quick exit from planet earth, or an extremely rare blood disease called Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia - which I later found out, was the diagnosis.During the next two weeks, Mara's voice was a deep diabolic laugh and then the voice said, "Mettika, you're going to die."
Sometimes I was able to feel the fear in the belly which created awareness and then was able to see Mara and watch him slunk away. Sometimes I felt the pure dread of impending death. Mara was happy with that response. So, Dharma friends and wayfarers are on the lookout for Mara in his many forms. The worst form of all is not seeing or hearing Mara's whisperings and becoming entangled, shackled, trapped, upset, blind, deaf, heedless, andunprepared. We now have the opportunity to catch Mara's armies, minions, and daughters.Stay tuned and feel free to write to Mara's Desk if you too have had encounters. Drop me a line. Cindy Mettika Hoffman is an upasika who has long been a part of the Abhayagiri community.