Buddhist Demonology

sambodhi

I'm doing an art project revolving around Buddhism... Are there any Buddhist demons? Please suggest ones with ample references online...

federica

Well, the only one I know of (and he's on my case the whole darned time) Is Mara.... There are some pretty vengeful and terrifying 'demons' in Tibetan Buddhism, but they all have a beneficial and inspirational side to them... You're supposed to fear them, but admire the salutary lesson they give, as well...

AFAIK........

See this link, if it's of any use........

DhammaDhatu

Asuras are a kind of demon; like dictators.

Asuras wish to rule the world via force, punishment & violence whereas the devas (gods) wish to rule the world via love & forebearance.

Research asura on Wikipedia, both Buddhist & Hindu.

This is because in Buddhism, some of the meaning has been lost over time as Buddhism has tried to differentiate itself from this original Hindu notion.

A Buddhist sutta about the asuras is the Subhasita-jaya Sutta, which is a debate between the asuras and the devas.

Vepacitti, the asura-king, recited this verse:

Fools would flare up even more
if there were no constraints.
Thus an enlightened one should
restrain the fool with a heavy stick.

When this was said, Sakka recited this verse:

One's own true good is the foremost good.
Nothing better than patience is found.

You make things worse when you
flare up at someone who's angry.
Whoever doesn't flare up at someone who's angry
wins a battle hard to win.

You live for the good of both —
your own, the other's —
when, knowing the other's provoked,
you mindfully grow calm.

When you work the cure of both —
your own, the other's —
those who think you a fool
know nothing of Dhamma.'

Then the deva & asura panel of judges said:

'The verses said by Vepacitti the asura-king
lie in the sphere of swords & weapons —
thence arguments, quarrels, & strife.

Whereas the verses said by Sakka the deva-king
lies outside the sphere of swords & weapons —
thence no arguments, no quarrels, no strife.

The victory through what is well spoken
goes to Sakka the deva-king.'

Stephen

I'd only say one thing about what I think "Mara" refers to; and it's already in my signature. In Christianity they say Satan's greatest trick was convincing the world that he doesn't exist. The force that causes us to do evil/unskillful acts out of ignorance of reality and of itself is actually the Self, which is Non-Self. In self-centered pursuits we act in discordant fashion toward reality.

That's just my opinion, of course, but anytime Mara is spoken of as tempting, etc., it is Self doing the tempting. Self that wants to involve in the sensuous pleasures of the flesh, in greed, hate and delusion. Realization of Non-Self is the first true step toward enlightenment.

Dazzle

Asuras wish to rule the world via force, punishment & violence whereas the devas (gods) wish to rule the world via love & forebearance.

In the six realms of Tibetan Buddhism, the asura realm represents jealousy and fighting, whereas the god realm represents pride.



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DhammaDhatu

Three of many Buddhist suttas on Mara are here, here and here.



Some of these suttas have similarities to Matthew 4.

Dazzle

sambodhi

Dazzle wrote: »

Wow, thanks!!

David_2009

I don't know much about it, but, I am interested, as I like the kind of artwork associated with them, but, there's a book that sounds really good, it's called 'Oracles and Demons of Tibet' by Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz, it seems quite expensive, but, it might be worth seeing if you can get it from the library or, if you have $32 to spare, buy it used from Amazon.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your art project.