Māra the Evil One

8 discourses

Discourses

MN 49 Brahmanimantanika sutta - The Invitation of Brahmā

The Buddha travels to the Brahmā world to correct Baka the Brahmā’s delusion of eternal existence.

PTS 1.326–1.331

SN 4.4 Paṭhama mārapāsa sutta - Māra’s Snare (First)

The Buddha attained the unsurpassed liberation through radical attention and radically striving aright.

PTS 1.105

SN 4.7 Supati sutta - Sleep

The Buddha, after walking back and forth in the open air for much of the night, lies down in the lion's posture. Māra approaches him and taunts him for sleeping.

PTS 1.107

SN 4.8 Nandati sutta - Delights

The Māra and the Buddha exchange verses on whether acquisitions bring delight or sorrow.

PTS 1.107

SN 4.20 Rajja sutta - Kingship

While the Buddha contemplates whether kingship can be conducted without killing or conquering, Māra interrupts with a seductive proposition: eliminate scarcity by turning the Himalayas into gold. The Buddha’s response exposes the fallacy of a material utopia.

PTS 1.116

SN 51.10 Cetiya sutta - Shrine

After Ānanda misses the sign to request the Buddha to remain, Māra reminds the Buddha of his promise to pass away now that the Dhamma and spiritual life are well established. The Buddha relinquishes the life force after weighing the incomparable and continued existence.

PTS 5.258–5.262

SNP 1.2 Dhaniya sutta - Dhaniya

Verses depicting a poetic duel between the wealthy cowherd Dhaniya and the Buddha. While Dhaniya boasts of his worldly security, family, and thriving herd, the Buddha counters with declarations of profound spiritual freedom.

PTS 3–5

UD 6.1 Āyusaṅkhārossajjana sutta - Relinquishing the Life Force

After Ānanda misses the sign to request the Buddha to remain, Māra reminds the Buddha of his promise to pass away now that the Dhamma and spiritual life are well established. The Buddha relinquishes the life force after weighing the incomparable and continued existence.

PTS 62–63