Significance of Mara
In Dutch: Mara; In German: Mara; In Finnish: Mara; In Spanish: Mara; In Swedish: Mara; In Malay: Mara; In French: Mara
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Mara'
Mara in Buddhism symbolizes temptation and distraction, embodying spiritual obstacles such as desire and illusion. Often depicted as a demon, he opposes practitioners on their quest for enlightenment, challenging their resolve and progress.
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) A demon representing temptation and distraction, who seeks to lead the Bodhisattva astray.[1] (2) A deity in Buddhist tradition often associated with temptation and hindrance to enlightenment.[2] (3) A personification of temptation and illusion, depicted in the sutra as actively trying to distract and dissuade the Bodhisattva during his quest for enlightenment.[3] (4) The demon who represents temptation and the fearful challenges that arise on the journey to enlightenment.[4] (5) A personification of desire, death, and rebirth, who experiences discomfiture upon the Bodhisattva's enlightenment.[5]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) Demonic entities that try to distract and hinder practitioners on their path to enlightenment.[6] (2) Symbolizes temptation and obstruction in spiritual practice, akin to the forces that may distract beings from realizing the Tathagata's true nature.[7] (3) A demon representing temptation and illusion, often seeking to distract practitioners from their spiritual path; mentioned during the Buddha's interaction with different beings.[8] (4) A figure in Buddhism representing the personification of temptation, which the Buddha ultimately transcended in his path to enlightenment.[9] (5) A figure representing the forces that distract or hinder one from achieving enlightenment.[10]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The demon who represents obstacles to enlightenment and spiritual progress.[11] (2) A demonic figure in Buddhism representing temptation and obstacles to enlightenment.[12] (3) A term referring to the two kinds of obstacles that the Buddha aims to destroy: the 鈥榝etter鈥� Mara and the lord-god Mara.[13] (4) A powerful being representing temptation and death, often regarded as an obstacle for spiritual practitioners.[14] (5) A symbolic figure representing temptation and distraction, feared by monks who commit to entering nirvana.[15]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) The entity representing temptation and spiritual obstruction in Buddhism, often depicted as attempting to distract practitioners from their path.[16] (2) Forces of temptation and distraction that challenge the resolve of those seeking enlightenment.[17] (3) In Buddhism, Mara represents the personification of temptation and obstacles to enlightenment that one must overcome on the spiritual path.[18] (4) Entities that embody obstacles or temptations on the path to enlightenment, often represented in Buddhist teachings as distractions.[19]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The king of heavenly demons who represents obstacles to enlightenment and is fearful of the rising number of awakened beings.[20]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) The Genius of Evil who opposes Siddhartha's pursuit of enlightenment by trying to distract him.[21]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) The personification of delusion and obstacles that hinder one's spiritual progress towards enlightenment.[22]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The personification of temptation who attempted to disturb Rahula but ultimately disappeared.[23] (2) A celestial being representing temptation and distraction, whom the Bodhisatta vanquished in his quest for enlightenment.[24] (3) A symbolic figure of temptation and death who sought to divert the Bodhisatta from his path to enlightenment.[25] (4) A being representing temptation, distraction, and obstacles that seeks to divert the Bodhisatta from his path to enlightenment.[26] (5) Symbolizing death and temptation, referred to in the context of escaping the cycle of rebirth.[27]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The unwholesome factor representing temptation and hindrance that the Buddha overcame.[28] (2) A being representing temptation and distraction, whose influence led the wives to behave improperly in the monastery.[29] (3) A personified force of temptation and obstacle in Buddhism, depicted as unable to defeat the self-conquest of an enlightened individual.[30] (4) A figure who embodies temptation and distraction, responsible for causing the villagers of Pancasala to fail in offering alms-food to the Buddha.[31]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) This is the Evil One, which represents the kilesas and their destructive nature, leading beings to harm and destruction.[32] (2) It refers to the nature of it, and it creates endless imaginary ideas to deceive us, and those who practice anapanasati should remember what its 鈥渇ace鈥� looks like when you meet it.[33] (3) A metaphorical figure representing temptation and distraction, which leads beings away from the path of enlightenment.[34]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) The embodiment of desire and temptation that can impede enlightenment.[35] (2) The Evil One who represents temptation and distraction from the path of Dhamma.[36]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) A mythical figure representing temptation and spiritual obstruction in Buddhist teachings.[37] (2) A figure that symbolizes temptation and illusion, who questioned Bhikkhuni Vajira about the existence of a creator and living beings.[38]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A demon that represents the temptations and distractions that lead individuals away from spiritual goals.[39]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) The demon representing temptation and obstacles that hinder spiritual advancement.[40]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) Represented as the King of Darkness, an allegorical figure representing temptation and distraction from enlightenment.[41]
From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)
(1) A figure representing temptation and distraction from spiritual enlightenment, often seen as an obstacle on the path to holiness.[42]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) Represents the concept of temptation and distraction that prevents individuals from achieving spiritual enlightenment.[43]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) A figure representing obstacle and temptation, against whom the Buddha emanated mett谩 to conquer during his path to Buddhahood.[44]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) A being symbolizing temptation and distraction, which influences the mind of individuals, including Ananda.[45]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) The concept of death as a killer; used metaphorically to represent the forces leading to suffering.[46]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) A metaphorical figure representing temptation and distraction on the path to enlightenment.[47] (2) A demon who embodies spiritual obstacles, particularly desire and distraction.[48] (3) The Evil One, a spiritual adversary who attempts to distract the Buddha from his path to enlightenment.[49]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) The embodiment of desire and temptation that attempts to thwart the Bodhisattva's quest for enlightenment.[50]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) The Evil one who caused accidents to the individual during his travels, representing obstacles on the spiritual path.[51] (2) A demon or spiritual obstacle in Buddhist doctrine, representing challenges in spiritual practice.[52] (3) The personification of temptation and doubt that attempted to distract the Bodhisattva from his meditation.[53]
Jain concept of 'Mara'
In Jainism, Mara signifies both physical impact and battle, representing the struggle against material desires and attachments that hinder spiritual progress, emphasizing the conflict encountered on the path to liberation.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) (啶ぞ啶�, mara), signifies battle.[54] (2) Beating; a term that implies physical impact.[55]
The concept of Mara in scientific sources
Mara, derived from Sanskrit meaning 'death', emphasizes the critical nature of Marma, which are vital points in the body. Injuring these points carries significant consequences, highlighting the importance of understanding their vulnerable nature.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) MARA is an entity, along with Selangor, Malaysia and the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia, which provided support.[56]