The "Connected Discourses With Māra" features dialogues between the Buddha and Māra, the personification of evil and the tempter of beings. Māra is depicted as a powerful figure who seeks to obstruct the Buddha's path to awakening and enlightenment. These discourses often involve Māra's attempts to dissuade the Buddha from teaching or to distract him from his meditation. The Buddha responds with wisdom and compassion, skillfully countering Māra's deceptions and revealing the path to liberation.
Mārasaṁyutta - Connected Discourses With Māra
Paṭhama vagga - The First Chapter
The first chapter of the Connected Discourses with Māra, containing discourses 1–10.
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.
The Māra and the Buddha exchange verses on whether acquisitions bring delight or sorrow.
Dutiya vagga - The Second Chapter
The second chapter of the Connected Discourses with Māra, containing discourses 11–20.
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.