Difference between revisions of "The Buddha’s Victory over Mara"
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| − | The [[Buddhavamsa]] Commentary and Nidanakatha of the [[Jataka]] commentary, particularly in the Singhalese versions, unfold a very lively and detailed account of the Mara’s visit to the [[Buddha]] just before his | + | |
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| + | [[Mara]] in the [[Buddhist tradition]] can be best understood as [[Satan]], who always tried to dissuade the [[Buddha]] or any one from the righteous [[path]]. | ||
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| + | He is also called ‘[[Namuchi]]’ as none can escape him ([[Namuci iti Maro]]); and ‘[[Vasavatti]]’ as he {{Wiki|rules}} all (Maro [[nama]] Vassavati sabbesam upari vasam vattati). | ||
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| + | When [[Gotama]] renounced the [[world]] and passed through the city gates on his [[horse]] [[Kanthaka]], [[Mara]] appeared before him and tempted him by the offer to make him a [[universal monarch]] in seven days, if he was to change his [[mind]]. | ||
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| + | [[Siddhattha]], however, did not pay any [[attention]] to him. | ||
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| + | The origin of the legend of [[Mara]] is first noticeable in the [[Padhana Sutta]] (See [[Samyutta Nikaya]] vs.425-49). | ||
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| + | His ten-fold {{Wiki|army}} is [[Lust]]; [[Aversion]]; Hunger; [[Thirst]]; [[Craving]]; | ||
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| + | Stoth and [[Torpor]]; [[Cowardice]]; [[Doubt]]; [[Hypocrisy]] and [[Stupidity]]; False Glory; and [[Conceit]]. | ||
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| + | He has three daughters, [[Tanha]], [[Arati]] and [[Raga]] representing the three out of the ten forces of [[Mara’s]] {{Wiki|army}}. | ||
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| + | These daughters were employed to tempt the [[Buddha]] after his [[Enlightenment]]; and they could assume numerous [[forms]] of varying age and charm. | ||
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| + | The [[Buddhavamsa]] Commentary and [[Nidanakatha]] of the [[Jataka]] commentary, particularly in the [[Singhalese]] versions, unfold a very lively and detailed account of the [[Mara’s]] visit to the [[Buddha]] just before his [[Enlightenment]], when he was sitting under the [[Bodhi tree]]. | ||
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| + | [[Seeing]] [[Gotama]] seated with a firm resolve to become a [[Buddha]], he summoned all his forces to attack [[Sakyamuni]]. | ||
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| + | The forces extended twelve leagues in front and back; and nine leagues on right and left. | ||
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| + | [[Mara]] himself with thousand arms riding on his [[elephant]] [[Girimekhala]], attacked [[Gotama]]. | ||
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| + | His followers armed with deadly [[weapons]] and assuming various frightening [[forms]] joined him in his attack. | ||
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| + | The [[Devas]], [[Nagas]], and others who had [[gathered]] round [[Gotama]] to pay him homage and sing his praises then fled at the [[sight]] of the frightening {{Wiki|army}} of [[Mara]]. | ||
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| + | The [[Bodhisatta]] then called the ten [[paramis]], which he had perfected in various [[births]], for his defense. | ||
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| + | Each of the ten divisions of [[Mara’s]] {{Wiki|army}} was then defeated and routed by one [[parami]]. | ||
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| + | Eventually, [[Mara’s]] {{Wiki|army}} had to flee. Vanquished [[Mara]] then hurled his last weapon – the [[chakkavudha]] (disc), which stood over the [[Bodhisatta’s]] head like a {{Wiki|canopy}} of [[flowers]]. | ||
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| + | Still [[Mara]] tried to dissuade [[Gotama]] from the [[path]] of the [[Buddhahood]] by falsely claiming the [[Gotama’s]] seat as his [[own]]; and by asking him to prove his right to the seat on which he was sitting. | ||
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| + | All the [[Mara’s]] followers then testified [[Mara’s]] claim by shouting that the seat actually belonged to [[Mara]]. | ||
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| + | As the [[Bodhisatta]] had no other {{Wiki|witness}} to bear testimony on his behalf he asked the [[Earth]] to speak for him by [[touching]] the ground with his middle finger. | ||
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| + | The [[Earth]] then roared in response and bore the testimony for the [[Bodhisatta]] by thundering, “I stand his {{Wiki|witness}}”. | ||
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| + | [[Thus]], the [[Mara’s]] defeat was final; and he and his followers had to flee. | ||
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| + | The [[Devas]] and other [[celestial]] [[beings]] then besieged him and celebrated his | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://ignca.nic.in/jatak077.htm ignca.nic.in] | [http://ignca.nic.in/jatak077.htm ignca.nic.in] | ||
[[Category:Life and Legends of Buddha]] | [[Category:Life and Legends of Buddha]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:47, 29 February 2016
Mara in the Buddhist tradition can be best understood as Satan, who always tried to dissuade the Buddha or any one from the righteous path.
He is also called ‘Namuchi’ as none can escape him (Namuci iti Maro); and ‘Vasavatti’ as he rules all (Maro nama Vassavati sabbesam upari vasam vattati).
When Gotama renounced the world and passed through the city gates on his horse Kanthaka, Mara appeared before him and tempted him by the offer to make him a universal monarch in seven days, if he was to change his mind.
Siddhattha, however, did not pay any attention to him.
The origin of the legend of Mara is first noticeable in the Padhana Sutta (See Samyutta Nikaya vs.425-49).
His ten-fold army is Lust; Aversion; Hunger; Thirst; Craving;
Stoth and Torpor; Cowardice; Doubt; Hypocrisy and Stupidity; False Glory; and Conceit.
He has three daughters, Tanha, Arati and Raga representing the three out of the ten forces of Mara’s army.
These daughters were employed to tempt the Buddha after his Enlightenment; and they could assume numerous forms of varying age and charm.
The Buddhavamsa Commentary and Nidanakatha of the Jataka commentary, particularly in the Singhalese versions, unfold a very lively and detailed account of the Mara’s visit to the Buddha just before his Enlightenment, when he was sitting under the Bodhi tree.
Seeing Gotama seated with a firm resolve to become a Buddha, he summoned all his forces to attack Sakyamuni.
The forces extended twelve leagues in front and back; and nine leagues on right and left.
Mara himself with thousand arms riding on his elephant Girimekhala, attacked Gotama.
His followers armed with deadly weapons and assuming various frightening forms joined him in his attack.
The Devas, Nagas, and others who had gathered round Gotama to pay him homage and sing his praises then fled at the sight of the frightening army of Mara.
The Bodhisatta then called the ten paramis, which he had perfected in various births, for his defense.
Each of the ten divisions of Mara’s army was then defeated and routed by one parami.
Eventually, Mara’s army had to flee. Vanquished Mara then hurled his last weapon – the chakkavudha (disc), which stood over the Bodhisatta’s head like a canopy of flowers.
Still Mara tried to dissuade Gotama from the path of the Buddhahood by falsely claiming the Gotama’s seat as his own; and by asking him to prove his right to the seat on which he was sitting.
All the Mara’s followers then testified Mara’s claim by shouting that the seat actually belonged to Mara.
As the Bodhisatta had no other witness to bear testimony on his behalf he asked the Earth to speak for him by touching the ground with his middle finger.
The Earth then roared in response and bore the testimony for the Bodhisatta by thundering, “I stand his witness”.
Thus, the Mara’s defeat was final; and he and his followers had to flee.
The Devas and other celestial beings then besieged him and celebrated his
