Who is Mara?

[Dhammarakkhito]

when buddha uses a simile he makes it clear that it is a simile. and like the last guy said, right view

[Aloka]

.

Ajahn Amaro - "I know you Mara" (6 minute extract from"Practicing with the Four Noble Truths").

[Dhammarakkhito]

http://www.buddha-vacana.org/sutta/angu ... 0-176.html

http://www.buddha-vacana.org/gloss.html#opapatika

[Dhammanando]

http://www.buddha-vacana.org/sutta/angu ... 0-176.html

http://www.buddha-vacana.org/gloss.html#opapatika

Opapātika has both a narrow and a broad sense. In its narrow sense it means beings born apparitionally, such as devas, pretas and hell beings. In its broad sense it is connected with the upapāta part of cutūpapāta(-ñāṇa), "(knowledge of) the passing away and reappearance of beings". In other words, it refers to any being who has been reborn.

In the commentaries opapātika in the context of mundane right view is understood as being used in the broad sense. And so according to this understanding, the proper translation will not be, "There are apparitionally generated beings", but rather, "There are beings who reappear/get reborn." Mundane right view here is belief in rebirth, not belief in devas, māras, brahmās, petas, etc.

[Nicolas]

Thanks for the clarification, Bhante.

[unveiledartist]

The Buddha suggests frequently (in Tipitaka) to overcome Mara. But who is Mara? Reading the Suttas I get impression that Mara is a real evil being.
I am looking for a clear and concise answer, but I would welcome any of your inputs regarding this question.
Thank you.

One time I think Brahma incarnated as Mara in order to trick The Buddha into thinking that everything is perment and eternal. The incarnation represented a personification of someone causing The Buddha into deluted thought. Like other analogies, The Buddha conversed with Mara (diciples, or other etc) and won the debate. Mara/Brahma kneeled to The Buddha exclaiming The Buddha's wisdom. Its a message that the delusion has been overthrown. A lot of messages are in form of analogies and dialogue.

The Brahma Invitation
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html