Four maras: Difference between revisions
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The '''four maras''' (Skt. ''catvāri māra''; Tib. ''dü shyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''bdud bzhi'') are the four types of obstructive, 'demonic' forces which create obstacles to practitioners on the spiritual path. It is important to understand that they have no inherent existence and are only created by the mind. | The '''four maras''' (Skt. ''catvāri māra''; Tib. ''dü shyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''bdud bzhi'') are the four types of obstructive, 'demonic' forces (sometimes also translated as 'demons') which create obstacles to practitioners on the spiritual path. It is important to understand that they have no inherent existence and are only created by the mind. | ||
There are two categorizations of the four maras: | There are two categorizations of the four maras: | ||
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==According to Sutrayana== | ==According to Sutrayana== | ||
#the '''mara of the [[five skandhas|aggregates]]''' (Skt. '' | #the '''mara of the [[five skandhas|aggregates]]''' (Skt. ''skhandamāra''; Wyl. ''phung po'i bdud''), which symbolizes our clinging to forms, perceptions, and mental states as ‘real’; | ||
#the '''mara of the [[destructive emotions]]''' (Skt. '' | #the '''mara of the [[destructive emotions]]''' (Skt. ''kleśamāra''; Wyl. ''nyon mongs kyi bdud''), which symbolizes our addiction to habitual patterns of negative emotion; | ||
#the '''mara of the Lord of Death''' (Skt. '' | #the '''mara of the Lord of Death''' (Skt. ''mṛtyumāra''; Wyl. '' 'chi bdag gi bdud''), which symbolizes both death itself, which cuts short our precious human birth, and also our fear of change, impermanence, and death; and | ||
#the '''mara of the | #the '''mara of the sons of the gods''' (Skt. ''devaputramāra''; Wyl. ''lha'i bu'i bdud''), which symbolizes our craving for pleasure, convenience, and ‘peace’. | ||
==According to Vajrayana== | ==According to Vajrayana== | ||
==Further Reading== | |||
*[[Khenpo Ngawang Palzang]], ''[[A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher]]'', pages 245-247. | |||
[[Category:Key Terms]] | [[Category:Key Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Enumerations]] | [[Category:Enumerations]] | ||
[[Category:Gods and demons]] | [[Category:Gods and demons]] | ||
Revision as of 08:41, 28 September 2008
The four maras (Skt. catvāri māra; Tib. dü shyi; Wyl. bdud bzhi) are the four types of obstructive, 'demonic' forces (sometimes also translated as 'demons') which create obstacles to practitioners on the spiritual path. It is important to understand that they have no inherent existence and are only created by the mind.
There are two categorizations of the four maras:
- one according to the Sutrayana, and
- one according to the Vajrayana, which is especially related to the teachings on the practice of chö.
According to Sutrayana
- the mara of the aggregates (Skt. skhandamāra; Wyl. phung po'i bdud), which symbolizes our clinging to forms, perceptions, and mental states as ‘real’;
- the mara of the destructive emotions (Skt. kleśamāra; Wyl. nyon mongs kyi bdud), which symbolizes our addiction to habitual patterns of negative emotion;
- the mara of the Lord of Death (Skt. mṛtyumāra; Wyl. 'chi bdag gi bdud), which symbolizes both death itself, which cuts short our precious human birth, and also our fear of change, impermanence, and death; and
- the mara of the sons of the gods (Skt. devaputramāra; Wyl. lha'i bu'i bdud), which symbolizes our craving for pleasure, convenience, and ‘peace’.
According to Vajrayana
Further Reading
- Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher, pages 245-247.