Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.929

v1.c14.929

¹⁹ The whole story of the contest with Māra is, obviously, a mythological development. It is significant that in the Majjhima passages referred to earlier there is no mention of Māra, of a temptation, or even of a Bodhi-tree; but see D. ii. 4 and Thomas (op. cit., n. 1). According to the Kāliṅgabodhi Jātaka, which, very probably, embodies an old tradition, the bodhi-tree was worshipped even in the Buddha's lifetime. The Māra legend is, however, to be found in the Canonical Padhāna Sutta of the Sutta Nipāta. This perhaps contains the first suggestion of the legend. For a discussion see s.v. Māra.