Читать книгу 108 Buddhist Parables and Stories - Olga Gutsol - Страница 11

Siddhartha directed his steps to that Bodhi tree beneath whose shade he was to accomplish his search. When he sat down the heavens resounded with joy and all living beings were filled with good cheer. Mara alone, lord of the five desires, bringer of death and enemy of truth, was grieved and rejoiced not. With his three daughters, Tanha, Raga and Arati, the tempters, and with his host of evil demons, he went to the place where the prince sat.

But Siddhartha heeded him not. Mara uttered fear-inspiring threats and raised a whirlwind so that the skies were darkened and the ocean roared and trembled. The prince under the Bodhi tree remained calm and feared not. Siddhartha knew that no harm could befall him.

The three daughters of Mara tempted the princee, but he paid no attention to them. When Mara saw that he could not inflate any desire in the heart of the victorious monk, he ordered all the evil spirits at his command to attack him. Again Siddhartha watched them as one would watch the harmless games of children. All the fierce hatred of the evil spirits was of no avail. The flames of hell became wholesome breezes of perfume, and the angry thunderbolts were changed into lotus-blossoms.

When Mara saw this, he fled away with his army from the Bodhi tree.