Buddha's showdown with Mara the Tempter

As summarized by Emil Coiran

Mara the Demon Figure

AI on Mara:

In Buddhist tradition, Mara is a demon or figure that represents the forces of temptation, attachment, and the illusion of reality, often depicted as trying to prevent enlightenment or distract practitioners from their spiritual journey.

Mara is best known for his attempts at tempting to prevent Siddhartha Gautama from achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Employing various strategies, including celestial armies, beautiful women (sometimes his daughters), even challenging his right to be there, under the tree, for as long as it takes.

From Cioran’s Journal Dec 25 1959

Cioran speaks of Mara and the temptations of Buddha directly in his journal.

And I quote:

When Mara, the tempter, tries all sorts of seductions and intimidations to turn the Buddha away from The Way, to him he says, as between others : Of what right do you claim to reign over men and the universe?

After which, Cioran goes on to describe how knowledge is gained through — suffering through it.

Soooo — suffering through the seductions and intimidations, of temptation — is itself, what is knowledge of the universe… as between others.

Next two paras out of Cioran’s journal:

Have you suffered through the knowledge?

And, indeed, breadth and depth of mind are measured by suffering that it has undergone to acquire knowledge. No one knows without having undergone its trials. A subtile mind can be perfectly superficial. One must pay for slightest step towards knowledge.

Makes me think, that suffering for knowledge, however absurd it may seem at times, is a way of Loving Life Back, even till it hurts… however affecting, effecting, however painful or ridiculed.

Of course it’s Cioran, so he ends up back behind the Church, explaining his unfortunate non adherence, if not particular heresy.

And I quote:

How I envy believers the chance they have to slide towards heresy! However stupid it may be, a theory that is blacklisted is forever saved of ridicule. Woe to the heretics whom the Church has not deigned to condemn!

Daughters of the Demon Mara, from Bago (Pegu), Southern Myanmar (Burma). 1470-1480, Terra-cotta with glaze. Asian Art Museum

How have knowledge without knowing it? As also rides up against temptations of nonexistence — and one’s disappearance into the void.