Circa 400 BC - Buddha has died and the Buddhist community is being lead by the great monk scholar Upagupta. He is visiting Mathura, India to offer several weeks of important teachings to both the monastic and laity. As the teaching days progress he notices that fewer and fewer of the audience remain and he suspects Mara’s treachery. He finds Mara and his troop masquerading as actors in a massive and lavish entertainment nearby. Upagupta recognizes him immediately and to teach him a lesson hatches a plan to expose him. At the conclusion of the next performance the monk congratulates the actors by placing a garland of flowers around each of their necks. The garlands immediately turn into the rotting corpse of dead animals breaking Mara’s illusionary spell and the group appear in their true demon form. Mara tries to escape but is held fast by Upagupta's physic power. Before releasing him from his unpleasant situation the monk extracts a promise from Mara never to interfere with the Dharma teaching in such a manner again. Mara agrees but Upagupta, not entirely satisfied, asks for one small favor. “I have always regretted never meeting the Buddha. Since you can shape change please impersonate the Buddha and perform a pageant for all to behold.”
Mara replied; “This is nearly impossible yet we will try but you must promise not to forget who we really are and pay homage to us as you would the true Buddha. This would be very uncomfortable for me and all promises made would then be terminated.”
The monk agreed saying: “It would be impossible indeed to confuse you with Buddha”.
Mara and his party retreats behind the backstage curtains for a long time. They emerged again transformed into the images of the Shakyamuni Buddha and numerous Bodhisattva. All were in awe of their beauty; there before them was the beloved; the champions of the Dharma: Manjushri, Maitreya, Ananda and Shriputra.
Their splendor was unparalleled, their auras radiate. When the Buddha figure spoke of the higher truths of impermanence and selflessness Upagupta and the audience, overcome with the spectacle, prostrated in salutations. Immediately Mara disappears freed from his promise and vowing to return in whatever guise he wished.
When I came upon this story I knew it’s importance to my vision of the world; my model of the universe. Rather than offering that vision to you - I offer merely the story in the hopes it will evoke a meaningful insight specific to you.
Namaste and many blessings, Richard
