Notes on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha
written by Vova, a layman and yogi.
-12-
Deluded by envy a thunderbolt-striking Mara wished to confuse the Buddha. Sneering, he appeared before the Awakened One:" Oh, great ascetic! Indra, the King of Justice, scorns your teachings. I feel for you. It seems your wisdom is not from this world and does not belong in this meaningless whirlabout! Leave this miserable abode for the wretched; leave it be! "
The Buddha answered:"Even the King of Gods[25] is dependent on his belief in "self." This belief, useless for those who have reached salvation, rises like mount Meru. The teachings of the Awakened One do not elevate up high[26], they take one to the foundation[27] – to the cessation of suffering. Establishing a true foundation in the emptiness of self, the teachings support the realm of Gods and point out righteous paths in all spheres of existence. "
"And you, thunderbolt-keeping Mara, who has come to test the Awakened One. What prize has your pride promised you? Notice the deep chasm that your jealous thunderbolt creates. Situated deep within the hell realms it is too narrow to be reached by light and too deep to consider escape. Such is the place created by your selfish and prideful actions. Such is the place that karma will consider your future home. Are you aware of this?"
Shakyamuni's compassion purified Mara's mind. Tears welled up in the demon's eyes. His body trembled. With a prayerful gesture, he knelt in front of the Awakened One.
“I seek refuge in Thee, O, Glorious One! Free me from pride!"
"If you want to free yourself from pride, you should know that your prayer is incomplete. It behooves you to kneel in front of all living beings - not just me - as if they were your fathers and mothers - whether awakened or not - whether fully liberated or still wandering in the forest of delusions. Serve with loving kindness all whom you meet according to their needs and abilities."
"Yes, I do kneel in front of fathers and mothers! Certainty of virtue is wisdom. Wisdom, resting in emptiness, will become a thunderbolt in my hand!" The demon's face, free from delusion, shone with bliss like a thunder cloud. His mind's noble nature became distinctly visible in the radiance of his eyes and his smile.
"The Blessed One frees from oblivion well and completely!" he exclaimed. "I want to sing with happiness like a wood spirit intoxicated by his own spells!"
"Anger turns into loving kindness!
How beautiful!
Walking past the treasure of my own mind,
I wasn't able to escape from luck.
The Buddha, by thought, with lion’s strength
Managed to tear asunder the veil of the unmanifested!
Looking at Nature which engenders my manifestation
I realize this couldn't have been otherwise."
"My song is understood by the awakened,
My feelings are understood by the devoted!
Anger and loving kindness
Are uncreated, indestructible.
They are selfsame in their physical nature.
Only delusion makes anger what it is.
Awakening only adds a bit of experience
To loving kindness."
"I freed myself
When I encountered my own noble aspiration.
While living beings in this world
Call him the Buddha, the Victorious One,
I will be the Dharma."
"My song is an offering to the feet of the Noble One.
My intoxication is an offering to this world."
The newly Awakened One bowed in front of Shakyamuni, and at that moment the many formless beings around them became silent, spellbound by the sound of the falling rain of wisdom[28].
The master of his pride, now glorified with the name Vajrapani[29] (the Hand that Holds a Thunderbolt) ascended the heavens amid a multitude of earthly Goddesses. There he manifested his wrathful and spellbinding forms.
[25] Referring to Indra
[26] Referring to the higher realms of existence
[27] Referring to the roots of suffering, the belief in a self
[28] In tantric terms the rain of wisdom refers to one manifestation resulting from the attainment of some particular stage of attainment. For example, rain of flowers, or rain of golden rays.
[29] In Hindu tradition Vajrapani is named Shiva (The Blessed One)