釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 4.93

4.93

Next, fifth, explaining māra-affairs: "Māra" in the language of Qin means "killer." Because it plunders the practitioner's wealth of merit and slays the life of wisdom, it is called Māra. What are called māra-affairs? Just as the Buddha takes the deliverance of sentient beings through merit and wisdom and their entry into nirvāṇa as his affair, Māra likewise constantly takes the destruction of sentient beings' wholesome roots and causing them to transmigrate in saṃsāra as his affair. If one can settle one's mind in the gate of the Path, when the Path is high, Māra is powerful; therefore, one must skillfully recognize māra-affairs. The present explanation comprises three parts: first, distinguishing the differences among māra-dharmas; second, explaining the manifestations of māra-affairs; third, explaining the method for destroying Māra.