[Necedofer]

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I've revived this thread because I wondered if anyone had any further thoughts on the subject of Mara.

My personal view is that he represents negative states of mind rather than being a 'real' being.

What does he mean to you ?

When Mara is mentioned I always think of the wonderful sutta about Soma the nun:


SN 5.2 Soma Sutta: Mara Meets His Match


The nun Soma has entered Andhavana (Blind Man's Grove) near Savatthi to practice meditation. Mara, the embodiment of delusion, sees her there and desires to make her waver and abandon her concentration. He addresses her with a verse:


That which can be attained by seers
— The place so hard to arrive at —
Women are not able to reach,
Since they lack sufficient wisdom.

[Soma replies:]

'What difference does being a woman make
When the mind is well-composed,
When knowledge is proceeding on,
When one rightly sees into Dhamma?

Indeed for whom the question arises:
"Am I a man or a woman?"
Or, "Am I even something at all?"
To them alone is Mara fit to talk!

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....002.olen.html