When Siddhartha was tempted by Mara

The Buddha versus Mara: The Buddhist "Satan" and his three tempting daughters

You can have whatever you desire

(Buddha's Wisdom) April 26, 2025: 🔍 BUDDHISM'S "DEVIL" AND HIS THREE SEDUCTIVE DAUGHTERS. Did you know Buddhism has its own version of the Devil, a Satan figure?

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00 Buddhism's version of the Devil
• 02:01 Meet Mara, Buddhism's ultimate villain
• 06:44 The first daughter Tanhā (Craving)
• 11:08 The second daughter Arati (Boredom/Discontent)
• 15:30 The third daughter Rāga (Passion/Lust)
• 20:02 How the Buddha defeated Mara and his daughters
• 24:40 The daughters among us - modern applications

Mara, the Buddhist devil or chief demon, commands three daughters, who each specialize in a different type of temptation. Their tactics haven't changed in 2,600 years. They're still working on us today -- even through our smartphones.

Christian Sabrina Carpenter is sexy wholesome?

DISCOVER:

• The shocking parallels between Mara and Satan in religious mythology
• How the Buddha's legendary showdown with Mara's daughters reveals timeless psychological insights
• Why Mara's three daughters represent the most dangerous mind-traps humans fall into
• The surprising connection between ancient Buddhist warnings and modern digital addiction
• How the "I see you, Mara" technique can free us from these temptations today
• Ready to break free from the cycles keeping us stuck?

SOURCES:

• The Dhammapada, Sutta Nipata, Majjhima Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya, Ādittapariyāya Sutta ("The Fire Sermon"), Satipatthana Sutta ("Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness")

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#buddhism #mara #buddhistdevil #temptation #mindfulness #enlightenment #buddha #spiritualgrowth #mentalfreedom #craving #passion #boredom #buddhistmythology #ancientwisdom

• Matt, Buddha's Wisdom, April 26, 2025; Elizabeth Hurley, Brendan Frasier, remake of Bedazzled (2000); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Why would anyone think we were mourning the dead. We are celebrating life. They still live.

Wheel of Life/Death (Bhavacakra)

Why are Mexicans and other Hispanics in Latin America obsessed with a Day of the Dead? It is to remember and honor loved ones who have passed. They are still here. We still love them and want the best for them. (Filial piety is common in the culture just as it is in Asia and used to be around the world). The idea of death is not a ghoulish thing in that context, but it mixes with spooky American Halloween or tainted by Catholic All Hallows Eve and loses its Obon and Samhain (Sau-in) echoes, which aim to honor and remember, connect and care for those lost to Death.

Countless worlds, 31 planes

In Buddhism, who is the Grim Reaper? One might think it's Yama, the King of the Dead, the kind judge in the afterlife. "Justice" is meted out not by him, who is just the one who delivers the news, but by karma (our personal store of deeds coming up for appropriate results). If it's anyone, it has to be the king of the yakkhas Mara, the personification of Death, a kind of Santa Muerte who is actually a "Cupid" or "Lucifer" figure in Buddhism who resides in the highest sensual-celestial heavenly world. His aim is that people should go to hell but rather to stay trapped in his sphere of influence, of which he imagines he is the ruler. In his view, no one should escape the Sensual Sphere (the human plane, the subhuman worlds, and a few of the lower celestial angelic planes) to the superior Fine Material Sphere or the even loftier Immaterial Sphere. These three spheres (Kama Loka, Rupa Loka, Arupa Loka) are general categorizations of the individual planes (lokas) within the 31 Planes of Existence.

The scary thing about Mara is that he's alluring.

La Muerte Aztec Tepito - Santa Muerte (Wiki)

Karma leads to all planes

Mara's influence only extends up to the world where he was reborn and is referred to as Mara Devaputra (a literal being "Mara reborn among the devas or gods"). He frequently comes to earth where along with the asuras or anti-devas he causes a great deal of mischief for mortals who are fueled by sensual desires, craving, and clinging. They hear the Dharma, the path to liberation made known by the Buddha, but it is hard to follow with all the allure of the five sense strands of pleasure. What is the antidote? It is practice, which reveals what we are clinging to: that which is impermanent, disappointing (incapable of ever fulfilling us), and impersonal. We will not see these Three Marks of Existence, the true nature of things, so we go on trapped, revolving in samsara, faring according to our karma (deeds), constantly facing and having to endure the results. When our deeds (intentional actions) are motivated by greed (attraction), hatred (aversion or fear), and delusion (wrong views), the result is suffering. When our karma is rooted in nongreed (letting go), nonhatred (kindness, heart), and/or wisdom (right view), the results (vipaka and phala) are sweet. It's our choice IF only we were mindful and in control of ourselves, but we usually are not. Buddhists are as bad as the Mexicans, always going on about Death.

• Buddhism came to ancient Mexico and the Americas? How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative History of Buddhism in America (shambhala.com)
• AUDIO: Day of the Dead on Coast to Coast AM
• Hey, let's have sex, Psyche? - Okay, Cupid
• Happy birthday, Fernando Valenzuela! (RIP) 

Skull face paint tutorial | Halloween, Day of the Dead, Samhain makeup tutorial | Snazaroo

Though the Buddha talked about 31 Planes of Existence, they were distilled down to just these 6

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(Shonagh Scott) Sponsored Shonagh Scott for Oct. 2017. Today's Halloween makeup tutorial is this beautiful but eerie skull face paint, sponsored by Snazaroo! Their products are so affordable, and their Halloween kits are great on children and adults alike and they're the sponsor. daz3d.com

• Makeup System: Dead Makeup for Genesis 9 | Daz 3D

Grim Reaper Makeup Tutorial for Halloween | ShowMe MakeUp

Death stands behind all rebirth.

(Shonagh Scott) Oct. 2014: As explained in the tutorial, I've created this look using cream products, face paint, and eyeshadows. Substitute the cream-based products for solely face paint. Hit subscribe to see more tutorials using a vast range of different media and brands. Watch me create special occasion makeup, stunning evening looks, and everyday makeup routines! Go with me behind the scenes on photoshoots, and even watch me create SFX makeup for fancy dress and The Dia de Los Muertos or Mexican Halloween (All Hallows Eve, Samhain, Obon)!

Good thing we'll never die and need not be mindful

Buddhists are crazy and stupid. Don't think about Death! Think about LIFE! Live it up, Man, live!!! Why the heck think about Death? - What if how we live is how we die? There is more than just this life. Samsara (the wandering through life and death) keeps going. We don't really die. We are wise to do something for the future, to prepare for it. If it all just "ended," we might be right to be hedonists living it up all the time. But it doesn't end, so we're neither insane nor dumb to be mindful of Death. It helps living life after life, and fearing (ignoring and avoiding) causes many problems that could be avoided with a little bravery to look even on Halloween.

• Model - Bill Follow him: itsteambill Instagram; @itsteambill The boys YouTube channel; gorillazillavids Music; Music - Alchemists Tale Composer - Tilman Sillescu www.freeplaymusic.com Products; Supracolor - Kryolan | 521, 517, 043, and White Black Face Paint Matte Brown and Matte Black Eyeshadow Translucent Power to set the cream. Camo Eyes Coloured Contact Lenses; camoeyes.com/product/crazy-con...
• Shonagh Scott, makeup artist tutorials on YouTube, 2017, 2014; Crystal Quintero, CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Getting ready for the Day of the Dead

(Mikey & Wyatt) Spring 2024: When You Catch Your Best Friend “Hanging Out” With Your Girlfriend because your best bud doesn’t want to cheat with your ex, but what choice is there when Eros or Cupid run the show and call the shots? Directed by Wyatt Gallitz (wyattgallitz). Written by Wyatt Gallitz and Mikey Brockmann. Director of Photography: Andrew Judge l (liltoasterofficial). Edited by Mikey Brockmann. Performed by Claire Rice (clairebellerice), Mikey Brockmann (mikeybrockmann), and Mitch McMahon (mitchm659).

It's spooky time in the capital of the world, Los Angeles/Hollywood. One can tell because it gets dark sooner and cools off at night, unlike the holy city of Phoenix that burns by day to arise at night still burning.

The Latin communities in both Southwest metropolises are working on those costumes and make up tutorials. It's not easy being a ravishing Catrina to his Mara (the King of Death, sometimes appearing as Skeletor and sometimes as Santa Muerte).

But Mara is an old foe in Buddhism -- the ender of everything, which could end in peace if it weren't for all that attachment. Mara Devaputra ("Death Born-among-angels"), like a cross between Cupid and Lucifer in the West (Kamadeva and Vemacritin in the East), encourages

• sensuality
• affection
• attachment
• grasping
• clinging

all the things we "love" (in the lower, non-agape) and hold onto for dear life. If Cupid knocked on the door like black-eyed children, would we answer and let them in? Most of us would. What harm can Cupid do?

We love, we cling, it's normal or at least very usual and commonplace. English hardly has words for the problem. If we were speaking Ancient Greek or Sanskrit, it might immediately make sense.

We are not talking about healthy concern, affection (kindness and comfort), nurturing, compassion, joy in the joy of others, loving-kindness (metta). All of these are wonderful. What would life be without them?

But there's a dark side, a creepy side, a -- ugh -- clingy side. What depravity enters our lustful longings, what greed poisons our ambitions to succeed and be safe, to enjoy sensual pleasures and satisfy our wants. Fire good. It warms. Brushfire bad. It destroys. It isn't just the size. It's how it quickly gets out of all control.

When we started, it was just an itsy-bitsy straying. It's so hard to walk the narrow way. When we on full moon observance days begin to rein (reign) it in, we begin to cultivate the sort of karma (mental, verbal, and physical deeds) that bring about happiness.

• Los Angeles Full Moon Buddhist Observance (Uposatha) during the Rains Retreat (Vassa) on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, at the Mindfulness Meditation Center in Covina, Los Angeles (SGV)

What is "happiness"? It is that feeling of accomplishment for receiving what is welcome, pleasant, easy to endure. It's easy to distinguish from dukkha (disappointment or suffering), which is hard if not impossible to endure, most unwelcome and unpleasant.

"Karma" means what we do now conditions what comes about then. Now and then, now and then, even the then only really manifests now. And all the nows can be considered to previous thens to come.

Spooky. What will we wear? Will we win a prize? Will everyone look and point and smile? What about the real Day of the Dead when we die? That's unthinkable, the impossible possibility!

But at that time, the Buddha said, it's great to have a store of good karma (merit, punna) to fall back on.

It's like the old saying, "Q: When is the best time to plant a tree? A: Thirty years ago. Q: When is the second best time? A: Right now."

I think I'm falling in love, not my partner

Cupid (Kamadeva, Mara Devaputra, Eros) seems so cute and innocent.

I know it's love cause she starts looking like this.

These things indicate a love that is slowly dying. It’s often easy to tell when a relationship is totally falling apart because there will be obvious signs, but it’s less apparent if someone is slowly falling out of love with his or her partner.

Keep an eye out for these 12 behaviors, as they may indicate that your lover’s interest is cooling when you wish that it would burn forever with more and more intensity, like an endless honeymoon. But it burns, dwindles, until is burns out.

• Make these 13 mistakes and you’ll end up in a one-sided relationship, where you do and that person doesn't
• 18 powerful ways to address someone who doesn’t respect me

I know I'm in love because it's blissful (piti) like serene meditating only not as good.

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This is how I pictured us. Details schmeetails!

Am I falling in love, how can I know? Maybe this flower can tell me with its petals. They love me, they love me not, they love me, they love me not... Omens. Signs. Who can predict the future? But what if my partner is slowly falling out of love as the old lovespell is coming undone?

1. They’ll have less interest in intimacy and physical affection. That's one sign.

We were like cats in a cradle reaching Purvana.

One surefire way to determine whether someone is quietly falling out of love (even if you're falling more and more in love) is to pay attention to physical intimacy, or rather the lack of it.

Couples tend to grow less passionate after the "honeymoon period" has worn off. That's usual. But if intimacy has disappeared entirely, including hugging or handholding, that’s a big warning sign.

• Nooo, 16 excuses women give when they’ve lost interest but don’t want to admit it

2. They mention feelings of being “trapped.” It's time for A Conscious Rethink. Feeling trapped rarely happens in the context of discussing a relationship, but a partner may drop hints about feeling trapped or caged in various aspects of life.

This may be accompanied by restlessness and frustration, leading to behaviors such as going for long drives or walks “just to get out.” 

3. There’s less communication than there used to be. When and if this person does communicate with a partner, rather than avoiding conversation, it seems distant and unresponsive than before.

Maybe it's just to get an answer instead of having a conversation, or it's a grunt, a lackluster response, rather than actually having a discussion about a topic. More: If someone is quietly falling out of love, they'll display these 12 behaviors

• 17 things you should do when you love someone who doesn't love you back

SUTRA: Falling Apart

Numerical Discourses, 6. Brahmins, Ven. Sujato (trans.); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

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Mara appears like an angel of light or monster

(AN 3.56) A rich Brahmin approached the Buddha. Sitting respectfully to one side, he said: “Master Gotama, I have heard that Brahmins of the past who were senior teachers-of-teachers, said:

“‘In the olden days this world was so full of people one would think they were squashed together. Villages, towns, and capital cities were no more than a chicken’s flight apart.’ What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled, a decline in population is evident, and whole villages, towns, cities, and countries have disappeared?”

“Brahmin, nowadays humans love only illicit desires. They are overcome with immoral greed and are mired in wrong customs. Taking up knives, they murder each other, and many people perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why nowadays human numbers have dwindled.

“Furthermore, because nowadays humans love only illicit desires…the heavens [deva worlds on superior planes of existence] do not provide enough rain, so there’s famine, bad harvests, with blighted crops that shrivel into dry straw. And many people perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why nowadays human numbers have dwindled.

“Furthermore, because nowadays humans love only illicit desires…native spirits let vicious monsters [cryptids] loose. And many people perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why nowadays human numbers have dwindled.”

“Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent! …From this day forward, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone [to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha] for refuge for life.” More: suttacentral.net

• 12 behaviors via MSN; Ven. Sujato Bhikkhu, suttacentral.net (AN 3.56); Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

National Crush Day (9/27)

"Love is like oxygen" (The Sweet)

Why would we have a day to celebrate crushes? Some say these are literal. We crush cans. We recycle. If we're smart, we pre-cycle (plan ahead about what will become of the waste) and use banana leaves instead of plastic plates or big rolls of seaweed instead of those maddening packaged ones in individual wrappers where the container weighs more than the contents. Of course, we all know what a crush is. And we should know it isn't harmless. Mara Devaputra (Kamadeva, Eros, Cupid) delights. It hurts pining, waxing, wishing, hoping, wondering, casting our hearts like lures into the sea to see if anything is biting. Those bites won't much matter. There's just the One who either got away or was never caught. And we idealize. We weave a fantasy that becomes a petard. We're hoisted by our own petard. We grow tendrils and then cry when the mass of vines grows so heavy it tears off the fence or pole. Oh, the hole! In our hearts, there are many spaces, but in all the space, there's only you. You send me, Crush. Woe upon us. If only, if only there were a way to snap out of it. If only there were a way to be mindful of the moment instead. This moment I'm free, I'm fine, everything's good -- ah, to be there. Where? Here. When? Now. Be here now? Yes. But Woo Deng is soo deng cuuuute!

Don't let the Devil know anything (Alan Watts)

Alan Watts via Cosmic Jokes. Text: Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma B Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly
WARNING: This Dharma talk might rattle long held belief systems of listeners! QOTSA knows:

 

Don't let the Devil know anything (Alan Watts)

(Cosmic Jokes) Alan Watts talks about karma (intentional action). Escape karma and you escape the Devil. But how can we escape it? The historical Buddha laid down the path. And many are confused by it, including Watts, by confounding what the Buddha taught and what Hindus, Brahmins, and the Vedas teach about karma. It is not necessary to exhaust karma to break free of the cycle of rebirth and suffering. If it were, no one would ever be able to do it, as each act -- whether physical, verbal, or even mental -- lays down seeds that later bear fruit. It's happening all the time. In one life, one lays down enough karma for a thousand future lives or more. It's happening all the time. There's no need to do more, as the number of future lives we already face is endless. This is the problem of samsara, the endless round of birth and death. The solution is calm and mindfulness, which yields liberating insight into the true nature of things, which causes the heart/mind to let go. When one really lets go completely at this deep level, an irreversible change happens. One glimpses nirvana, the highest bliss, and one "changes lineage" from an ordinary worldling to a noble one (arya), having put a limit on how much future suffering is possible. One may yet live for a long time, but now there is a limit. It will no longer be endless and impermanent (dying from moment to moment between deaths and rebirths). Those who say we must exhaust all of our previous karma simply have not understood the historical Buddha's teachings or Dharma. And it is not what any other spiritual tradition teaches -- not Hinduism, Brahmanism, Vedanta, Jainism, Christianity, or New Age beliefs. The real way to "the end of all suffering," which is what nirvana means, is the Buddha's 37 Requisites of Enlightenment implicit in the Ennobling Eightfold Path.

 

► Subscribe. Alan Watts was a well-known British philosopher, writer and speaker, best known for his interpretation of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. Alan Watts left behind more than 25 books and an audio library of nearly 400 talks, which are still in great demand. Alan Watts's life advice will bring you to true freedom. Congratulations on your journey. #AlanWatts #Buddhism #Spirituality

Sam Smith gets Satanic at Grammys: "Unholy"

Need Satan as a fashion statement for the next party at Biden's house? Why not try this brand? lol

Religious nuts LOSE IT over "Unholy" Grammy performance

(The Young Turks/TYT) Feb. 6, 2023. Christian conservatives flipped out over what they called a "Satanic" performance at the Grammys. [Sellouts] Ana Kasparian and Cenk Uygur discuss on The Young Turks. Watch Jimmy Dore LIVE on weekdays on YouTube for better commentary. Read more: rawstory.com. #TYT #TheYoungTurks #BreakingNews

I like that bear Sam Smith. He's dreamy.

"Singers Sam Smith and [trans artist] Kim Petras delivered a devilish performance at the Grammys on Sunday night, and it has many conservative commentators in a Satanic panic. During the awards ceremony, Smith and Petras performed their song "Unholy," with Smith clad in a top hat featuring red devil horns and surrounded by red-robed female dancers. Conservatives on Twitter reacted with horror to the performance, which they believed was an actual tribute to Satan.

"The Grammys have gone full-on Satan worship right on prime time TV," wrote Newsmax's Benny Johnson."

Sam Smith & Kim Petras‘ ‘Unholy’ Grammys performance deemed ‘Satanic’ & ‘Evil’ by conservatives

Stephen Daw, Billboard, Feb. 6, 2023

Gay? I'm just fashionable like Harry Styles.

As if people weren’t mad enough at the results of the 2023 Grammys, now conservatives [and others] are fired up over two [LGBTQIA] performers wearing devil costumes during the annual telecast.

I like that Sam Smith. He's wicked.

During the ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 5th, 2023), Sam Smith and Kim Petras offered a rousing performance of their hit single “Unholy,” in which Petras [who is a trans person] performed alongside drag stars Violet Chachki and Gottmik dressed in devil costumes, while Smith [who is likely gay] was in a bright red top hat with devil horns sticking out from it for the final chorus.

Instead of celebrating the fact that the pair made history for the LGBTQ community that night, conservative viewers slammed the performances for promoting the worship of Satan.

“I know we on the right probably use the word [S]atanic too often but this performance from Sam Smith is literally a tribute to Satan,” wrote one viewer.

Another added some conspiracy-baiting into the mix, saying Madonna (who introduced the performance) looked like a statue erected in New York City that conservatives have called “[S]atanic” as well. More

• LUST on Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

On the Hunt for LOVE in the Garden (2/11)

Botanic Garden; Joachim Wtewael; Ashley Wells, CC Liu, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Mischievous Cupid, beautiful Venus, and angry Mars (Joachim Wtewael, ca. 1610, cropped)

Nice hat, Venus. - Shut up, Cupid. It's fashionable. - I'm just stealing your sticky honey.

"You're cursed!" Cupid/Mara never gives it a rest, not even at the beach among bikinis.

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Mara may be evil, but he's cute.

The South Coast Botanic Garden, the “Jewel of the Peninsula,” is located on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula on the coastal tip of Los Angeles.

It's a trap for Angelenos and tourists to explore -- 87-acres, featuring more than 2,500 species of plants, countless fragrant flowers, five miles of trails, and ten meadows next to the ocean. Bring some walking shoes and a picnic to make the most out of the day.

On the Hunt for Love (Feb. 1-28)

Aerial view of the garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles (Bryanwake/Wiki)

Yer not goin' out in that!

Additional garden activities: Love is in the air, and it’s in the garden. Come find representations of love throughout these 87 acres, whether it’s a red rose, pink tulip, or popular LOVE letters on display.

Take this hunt by yourself, with a partner, or with friends seeking partners to renew your love for each other and the garden.

On February 11 and 12th:

Greek Cupid is the troublemaker of the bunch.

The South Coast Botanic Garden will have a Make Out and Take Out so garden visitors can create something beautiful for their Valentine's Day sweethearts. It's included with general garden admission.

If feeling suicidal from being alone, please report to the front desk and ask for help. Why? Because Cupido es stupido y loco, which is to say, "Love is dimwitted and kooky."

Cupid doesn't let up: Cephalus and Procris in The Death of Procris (Joachim Wtewael)