Difference between revisions of "Mara (demon)"
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[[Image:MaraAssault.jpg|thumb|200px|Mara's assault on the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] (an iconic representation: the Buddha is only symbolized by his throne), 2nd century, Amaravati, India.]] | [[Image:MaraAssault.jpg|thumb|200px|Mara's assault on the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] (an iconic representation: the Buddha is only symbolized by his throne), 2nd century, Amaravati, India.]] | ||
[[File:Mara demon nat and Buddha.jpg|thumb|300px|Mara depicted in the Burmese style, attempting to tempt Buddha.]] | [[File:Mara demon nat and Buddha.jpg|thumb|300px|Mara depicted in the Burmese style, attempting to tempt Buddha.]] | ||
| − | + | [[Mara]] (Sanskrit, also [[Māra]]; [[Tibetan]] Wylie: bdud), in [[Buddhism]], is the [[demon]] that tempted [[Gautama Buddha]] by trying to seduce him with the vision of beautiful women who, in various legends, are often said to be [[Mara]]'s daughters. In [[Buddhist cosmology]], [[Mara]] personifies [[unwholesome]] impulses, unskillfulness, the "[[death]]" of the [[spiritual]] life. He is a tempter, distracting [[humans]] from practicing the [[spiritual]] life by making the mundane alluring or the negative seem positive. | |
The [[Early Buddhist schools|early Buddhists]], however, rather than seeing [[Mara]] as a [[demonic]], virtually all-powerful Lord of [[Evil]], regarded him as more of a nuisance. Many episodes concerning his interactions with the [[Buddha]] have a decidedly humorous air to them. | The [[Early Buddhist schools|early Buddhists]], however, rather than seeing [[Mara]] as a [[demonic]], virtually all-powerful Lord of [[Evil]], regarded him as more of a nuisance. Many episodes concerning his interactions with the [[Buddha]] have a decidedly humorous air to them. | ||
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In traditional [[Buddhism]] four [[senses]] of the word "[[mara]]" are given. | In traditional [[Buddhism]] four [[senses]] of the word "[[mara]]" are given. | ||
| − | *Klesa-mara, or [[Mara]] as the embodiment of all unskillful [[emotions]]. | + | *[[Klesa-mara]], or [[Mara]] as the embodiment of all unskillful [[emotions]]. |
| − | *Mrtyu-mara, or [[Mara]] as [[death]], in the sense of the ceaseless round of birth and [[death]]. | + | *[[Mrtyu-mara]], or [[Mara]] as [[death]], in the sense of the ceaseless round of birth and [[death]]. |
| − | *Skandha-mara, or [[Mara]] as metaphor for the entirety of conditioned existence. | + | *[[Skandha-mara]], or [[Mara]] as metaphor for the entirety of conditioned existence. |
| − | *Devaputra-mara, or [[Mara]] the son of a [[deva]] ([[god]]), that is, [[Mara]] as an objectively existent being rather than as a metaphor. | + | *[[Devaputra-mara]], or [[Mara]] the son of a [[deva]] ([[god]]), that is, [[Mara]] as an objectively existent {{Wiki|being}} rather than as a metaphor. |
| − | Early [[Buddhism]] [[acknowledged]] both a literal and "[[psychological]]" interpretation of [[Mara]]. [[Mara]] is described both as an entity having a literal existence, just as the various [[deities]] of the Vedic pantheon are shown existing around the [[Buddha]], and also is described as a primarily [[psychological]] force — a metaphor for various processes of doubt and temptation that obstruct [[spiritual]] practice. | + | Early [[Buddhism]] [[acknowledged]] both a literal and "[[psychological]]" interpretation of [[Mara]]. [[Mara]] is described both as an entity having a literal [[existence]], just as the various [[deities]] of the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|pantheon}} are shown existing around the [[Buddha]], and also is described as a primarily [[psychological]] force — a metaphor for various processes of [[doubt]] and {{Wiki|temptation}} that obstruct [[spiritual]] practice. |
| − | "[[Buddha]] defying [[Mara]]" is a common pose of [[Buddha]] sculptures. The [[Buddha]] is shown with his left hand in his lap, palm facing upwards and his right hand on his right knee. The fingers of his right hand touch the earth, to call the earth as his witness for defying [[Mara]] and achieving [[enlightenment]]. This posture is also referred to as the '[[earth-touching]]' [[mudra]]. | + | "[[Buddha]] defying [[Mara]]" is a common pose of [[Buddha]] sculptures. The [[Buddha]] is shown with his left hand in his lap, palm facing upwards and his right hand on his right knee. The fingers of his right hand touch the earth, to call the [[earth]] as his {{Wiki|witness}} for defying [[Mara]] and achieving [[enlightenment]]. This posture is also referred to as the '[[earth-touching]]' [[mudra]]. |
| − | ==Etymology== | + | =={{Wiki|Etymology}}== |
| − | The word "[[Mara]]" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *mer meaning to die, and so it is related to the European [[Mara]], the Slavic Marzanna and the Latvian Māra. Mara in Latvian mythology means — The Mother of Earth and has positive meaning. She is wise and generous. | + | The word "[[Mara]]" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *mer meaning ''to die'', and so it is related to the European [[Mara]], the Slavic Marzanna and the Latvian [[Māra]]. [[Mara]] in Latvian {{Wiki|mythology}} means — The Mother of Earth and has positive meaning. She is wise and generous. |
| − | Slavic [[Goddess]] of death and winter "[[Mara]]" means Ma of Ra or Mother of Ra as death is really a transformation, death in one world means birth in another. | + | Slavic [[Goddess]] of [[death]] and winter "[[Mara]]" means Ma of Ra or Mother of Ra as [[death]] is really a transformation, [[death]] in one world means [[birth]] in another. |
==Three daughters== | ==Three daughters== | ||
| − | In some accounts of the [[Buddha]]'s [[enlightenment]], it is said that the [[demon]] [[Māra]] sent his three daughters to tempt the [[Buddha]] to give up his quest. [[Mara]]'s three daughters are identified as [[Tanha]] ([[Craving]]), Arati (Boredom), and [[Raga ([[Buddhism]])|Raga]] ([[Passion]]). For example, in the [[Samyutta Nikaya]]'s ''[[Māra-samyutta]]'', [[Mara]]'s three daughters fail to entice the [[Buddha]]: | + | In some accounts of the [[Buddha]]'s [[enlightenment]], it is said that the [[demon]] [[Māra]] sent his three daughters to tempt the [[Buddha]] to give up his quest. [[Mara]]'s three daughters are identified as [[Tanha]] ([[Craving]]), [[Arati]] (Boredom), and [[Raga ([[Buddhism]])|Raga]] ([[Passion]]). For example, in the [[Samyutta Nikaya]]'s ''[[Māra-samyutta]]'', [[Mara]]'s three daughters fail to entice the [[Buddha]]: |
:They had come to him glittering with beauty<br/> | :They had come to him glittering with beauty<br/> | ||
| − | :Taṇhā, Arati, and Rāga<br/> | + | :[[Taṇhā]], [[Arati]], and [[Rāga]]<br/> |
:But the [[Gautama Buddha|Teacher]] swept them away right there<br/> | :But the [[Gautama Buddha|Teacher]] swept them away right there<br/> | ||
:As the wind, a fallen cotton tuft. | :As the wind, a fallen cotton tuft. | ||
| − | Some stories refer to the existence of Five Daughters, who represent the Three Poisons, Attraction, Aversion and Delusion, accompanied additionally by | + | Some stories refer to the existence of Five Daughters, who represent the Three Poisons, [[Attraction]], [[Aversion]] and [[Delusion]], accompanied additionally by Pr{{Wiki|}}ide and {{Wiki|Fear}}. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 21:35, 7 August 2013
Mara (Sanskrit, also Māra; Tibetan Wylie: bdud), in Buddhism, is the demon that tempted Gautama Buddha by trying to seduce him with the vision of beautiful women who, in various legends, are often said to be Mara's daughters. In Buddhist cosmology, Mara personifies unwholesome impulses, unskillfulness, the "death" of the spiritual life. He is a tempter, distracting humans from practicing the spiritual life by making the mundane alluring or the negative seem positive.
The early Buddhists, however, rather than seeing Mara as a demonic, virtually all-powerful Lord of Evil, regarded him as more of a nuisance. Many episodes concerning his interactions with the Buddha have a decidedly humorous air to them.
In traditional Buddhism four senses of the word "mara" are given.
- Klesa-mara, or Mara as the embodiment of all unskillful emotions.
- Mrtyu-mara, or Mara as death, in the sense of the ceaseless round of birth and death.
- Skandha-mara, or Mara as metaphor for the entirety of conditioned existence.
- Devaputra-mara, or Mara the son of a deva (god), that is, Mara as an objectively existent being rather than as a metaphor.
Early Buddhism acknowledged both a literal and "psychological" interpretation of Mara. Mara is described both as an entity having a literal existence, just as the various deities of the Vedic pantheon are shown existing around the Buddha, and also is described as a primarily psychological force — a metaphor for various processes of doubt and temptation that obstruct spiritual practice.
"Buddha defying Mara" is a common pose of Buddha sculptures. The Buddha is shown with his left hand in his lap, palm facing upwards and his right hand on his right knee. The fingers of his right hand touch the earth, to call the earth as his witness for defying Mara and achieving enlightenment. This posture is also referred to as the 'earth-touching' mudra.
Etymology
The word "Mara" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *mer meaning to die, and so it is related to the European Mara, the Slavic Marzanna and the Latvian Māra. Mara in Latvian mythology means — The Mother of Earth and has positive meaning. She is wise and generous.
Slavic Goddess of death and winter "Mara" means Ma of Ra or Mother of Ra as death is really a transformation, death in one world means birth in another.
Three daughters
In some accounts of the Buddha's enlightenment, it is said that the demon Māra sent his three daughters to tempt the Buddha to give up his quest. Mara's three daughters are identified as Tanha (Craving), Arati (Boredom), and [[Raga (Buddhism)|Raga]] (Passion). For example, in the Samyutta Nikaya's Māra-samyutta, Mara's three daughters fail to entice the Buddha:
- They had come to him glittering with beauty
- Taṇhā, Arati, and Rāga
- But the Teacher swept them away right there
- As the wind, a fallen cotton tuft.
Some stories refer to the existence of Five Daughters, who represent the Three Poisons, Attraction, Aversion and Delusion, accompanied additionally by Pr[[Wikipedia:|]]ide and Fear.
