By Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma
In Buddhism, demons are known as “Mara” or “Yaksha”, and are often depicted as malevolent beings that embody the forces of ignorance, craving, and destruction. The origin of demons in Buddhism is attributed to the realm of samsara, the cycle of birth and death, where beings are driven by their karma and mental afflictions. According to the Buddhist scripture, the Majjhima Nikaya, Mara is the personification of the forces of evil and temptation, who seeks to lead beings astray from the path to enlightenment (Majjhima Nikaya 1.1). Mara is often depicted as a powerful and seductive figure, who tempts the Buddha and his followers with worldly pleasures and distractions. The Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, describes Mara as the “evil one” who is constantly seeking to destroy the good and promote evil (Dhammapada 1.1).
In Buddhist cosmology, demons are believed to inhabit various realms, including the realm of the hungry ghosts, the realm of the animals, and the hells. These realms are seen as states of mind, rather than physical locations, and are characterized by intense suffering and ignorance. The Buddhist scripture, the Abhidharmakosha, describes the realm of the hungry ghosts as a place of intense craving and frustration, where beings are driven by their desires and are unable to satisfy them (Abhidharmakosha 3.1). Demons in Buddhism are seen as being responsible for promoting negative mental states, such as anger, hatred, and ignorance, and for tempting individuals to engage in unwholesome actions. The Buddhist text, the Satipatthana Sutta, describes the importance of mindfulness and awareness in recognizing and overcoming the influence of demons (Satipatthana Sutta 1.1). By cultivating mindfulness and wisdom, individuals can resist the influence of demons and progress on the path to enlightenment.
The Buddhist scholar, Buddhaghosa, describes demons as being manifestations of the individual’s own mental afflictions, rather than external entities (Buddhaghosa, Visuddhimagga 1.1). This perspective is echoed by the modern Buddhist scholar, Walpola Rahula, who notes that demons in Buddhism are often used as symbols of the internal struggles and conflicts that individuals face (Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught 1.1). In Mahayana Buddhism, demons are often depicted as being transformed into benevolent beings, who aid the practitioner on the path to enlightenment. The Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra, describes the transformation of the demon king, Ravana, into a devoted follower of the Buddha (Lotus Sutra 1.1). This transformation reflects the Mahayana emphasis on the universal potential for enlightenment, and the possibility of redemption and transformation.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, demons are often depicted as being manifestations of the individual’s own energy and emotions, which can be transformed and harnessed on the path to enlightenment. The Buddhist text, the Hevajra Tantra, describes the importance of recognizing and transforming the demon of ignorance into wisdom (Hevajra Tantra 1.1).
The concept of demons in Buddhism has been interpreted in various ways by different scholars and traditions. Some see demons as being purely symbolic, representing the internal struggles and conflicts that individuals face, while others see them as being real entities that exist in the external world. The Buddhist scholar, Edward Conze, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism reflects the ancient Indian idea of the struggle between good and evil, and the need for individuals to choose between these opposing forces (Edward Conze, Buddhism 1.1). In modern times, the concept of demons in Buddhism has been influenced by Western psychology and philosophy. Some scholars have seen demons as representing the shadow aspects of the human psyche, while others have interpreted them as being symbolic of the destructive forces of nature. The Buddhist scholar, David Loy, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism can be seen as a metaphor for the ways in which our own mental afflictions can lead to suffering and ignorance (David Loy, A Buddhist History of the West 1.1).
Demons in Buddhism have also been influenced by the development of new Buddhist movements and traditions. In some forms of modern Buddhism, demons are seen as being manifestations of the individual’s own karma and mental afflictions, rather than external entities. The Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism can be seen as a way of understanding and working with our own negative energies and emotions (Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching 1.1).
In Tibetan Buddhism, demons are often depicted as being manifestations of the individual’s own energy and emotions, which can be transformed and harnessed on the path to enlightenment. The Buddhist text, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, describes the importance of recognizing and transforming the demon of ignorance into wisdom (Tibetan Book of the Dead 1.1). The concept of demons in Buddhism has also been influenced by the development of new religious movements, such as Shambhala Buddhism. In Shambhala Buddhism, demons are seen as being manifestations of the individual’s own ego and mental afflictions, which can be transformed and harnessed on the path to enlightenment. The Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism can be seen as a way of understanding and working with our own negative energies and emotions (Chogyam Trungpa, The Myth of Freedom 1.1).
The Buddhist scripture, the Dhammapada, describes the importance of recognizing and overcoming the influence of demons, and notes that the wise person is one who is able to conquer their own demons and achieve enlightenment (Dhammapada 1.1). This has continued to be a topic of study and debate in modern times. The Buddhist scholar, Masao Abe, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism reflects the fundamental Buddhist idea of the interconnectedness of all phenomena, and the need for individuals to recognize and transcend their own limitations and ignorance (Masao Abe, Buddhism and Interfaith Dialogue 1.1). In Buddhist practice, demons are often invoked as symbols of the individual’s own mental afflictions, and are used as a means of cultivating mindfulness and wisdom. The Buddhist text, the Mahavairochana Sutra, describes the importance of recognizing and transforming the demon of ignorance into wisdom (Mahavairochana Sutra 1.1).
The Buddhist scholar, Rita Gross, notes that demonism in Buddhism reflects the fundamental Buddhist idea of the impermanence and insubstantiality of all phenomena, and the need for individuals to recognize and transcend their own limitations and ignorance (Rita Gross, Buddhism After Patriarchy 1.1). The Buddhist scripture, the Samyutta Nikaya, describes the importance of recognizing and overcoming the influence of demons, and notes that the wise person is one who is able to conquer their own demons and achieve enlightenment (Samyutta Nikaya 1.1). Another Buddhist scholar, Paul Williams, notes that the concept of demons in Buddhism reflects the fundamental Buddhist idea of the interconnectedness of all phenomena, and the need for individuals to recognize and transcend their own limitations and ignorance (Paul Williams, Mahayana Buddhism 1.1). The Buddhist text, the Gorgon Tantra, describes the importance of recognizing and transforming the demon of ignorance into wisdom (Gorgon Tantra 1.1).
Another aspect of this thesis is the role of demons in shaping destiny; it is a fascinating one as far as this topic is concerned. According to Buddhist teachings, demons (Mara or Yaksha) can significantly influence an individual’s destiny by exploiting their mental vulnerabilities and karma. The Buddhist scripture, the Majjhima Nikaya, describes Mara as a powerful force that tempts individuals with worldly pleasures and distractions, leading them astray from the path to enlightenment (Majjhima Nikaya 1.1). In Buddhism, demons are seen as manifestations of an individual’s own mental afflictions, such as craving, hatred, and ignorance as noted earlier. These afflictions can shape an individual’s destiny by influencing their thoughts, words, and actions. The Buddhist scholar, Buddhaghosa, notes that demons represent the internal obstacles that individuals must overcome to achieve enlightenment (Buddhaghosa, Visuddhimagga 1.1).
Demons can affect an individual’s destiny by creating negative karma, which can lead to suffering and rebirth in lower realms. The Buddhist text, the Dhammapada, describes the importance of recognizing and overcoming the influence of demons to achieve a favourable destiny (Dhammapada 1.1). By cultivating mindfulness and wisdom, individuals can resist the influence of demons and shape their own destiny. The Buddhist scholar, Walpola Rahula, notes that demons in Buddhism represent the internal struggles and conflicts that individuals face, and that recognizing and overcoming these struggles is key to shaping one’s destiny (Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught 1.1). By acknowledging and working with their own mental afflictions, individuals can transform their destiny and achieve enlightenment.
In Mahayana Buddhism, demons are often depicted as being transformed into benevolent beings, who aid the practitioner on the path to enlightenment. This transformation reflects the Mahayana emphasis on the universal potential for enlightenment, and the possibility of redemption and transformation. The Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra, describes the transformation of the demon king, Ravana, into a devoted follower of the Buddha (Lotus Sutra 1.1).