大乘法苑義林章 6.22

6.22

First, as for the enumeration of different names: There are two kinds of māra: first, the māras of the category of fragmented [saṃsāra]; second, the māras of the category of transformative [saṃsāra]. In the Lotus Sūtra, the 'Chapter on Pleasant Practices' says: 'The Tathāgata is also like this. By the power of dhyāna and prajñā, he obtains the realm of the Dharma and reigns as king over the three realms. Yet the māra kings are unwilling to submit. The noble generals of the Tathāgata fight against them, and he rejoices in the hearts of those who have merit. Amid the fourfold assembly, he expounds various sūtras for them to make their hearts gladden, and furthermore confers the city of nirvāṇa, saying they have attained cessation, guiding their minds to make them rejoice, yet does not expound this Lotus Sūtra for them.' This speaks of what was previously destroyed by the two vehicles; thus we know it is only the māras of fragmented [saṃsāra]. Since the category of the hindrance of kleśas obstructs the two vehicles, it is spoken of as a māra. The category of the hindrance of the knowable obstructs bodhisattvas, so we clearly know it is also a māra. The Śrīmālādevī-sūtra says: 'There are created four noble truths and uncreated four noble truths, which the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One initially realizes, and then expounds as an expedient for sentient beings enveloped in the eggshell of ignorance.' Since it distinguishes two deaths, two aggregates, and two kleśas, we clearly know that heavenly māras also have two classes. Alternatively, three māras are spoken of. The Lotus Sūtra also says: 'The Tathāgata is also like this. In the three realms he is the great Dharma king, teaching and transforming all sentient beings through the Dharma. Seeing the army of the noble ones fight with great merit against the māras of the five aggregates, the māra of kleśa, and the māra of death, extinguishing the three poisons, leaving the three realms, and tearing the net of māra, the Tathāgata also rejoices greatly.' It does not speak of the heavenly māra. Alternatively, four māras are spoken of. The Yogācārabhūmi and others say: 'Sitting peacefully upon the wondrous bodhi seat, having subdued the four māras and possessing great power, he is named the Bhagavān.' The Buddhabhūmi-vyākhyāna says: 'Speaking of the four māras: first, the māra of kleśa; second, the māra of the aggregates; third, the māra of death; fourth, the māra of the lord of the Paranirmitavaśavartin heaven.' Alternatively, eight māras are spoken of, because fragmented and transformative [saṃsāra] each have four. Because bodhisattvas take conceptualization and the hindrance of the knowable as kleśas, in principle there is also definitively a māra of kleśas belonging to the category of transformative saṃsāra. Also, another eight māras are spoken of: the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says that on top of the four māras, the four inversions are added. Alternatively, ten māras are spoken of. In the Miscellaneous Piṭaka it says: 'Desire, sorrow, grief, hunger, thirst, affection, sleep, fear, doubt, poison, fame, and gain, exalting oneself and despising others—such is your army; none can defeat it. With my arrow of prajñā and sword of samādhi, I shatter it like a broken pot thrown into water.'