In Buddhism, we called demon, MARA. It was said, Buddha
encounter it prior to his enlightenment. Traditionally, we
classified Mara into
Sometime it is literal or metaphor, it is dependent on
the circumstance and the context of the sutra. However, being a
Mara does not imply is end of the world, because Mara can also
tread on the path to enlightenment when he chose to forsake his
evil way. In another word, Mara was not created by God but by
his own desire.
In Nichiren Shu, we honor Mother of Demon Sons
(Kishimojin) as mentioned in Lotus Sutra Chpter 26, as part of
Gohonzon's entity. Not because, we are demon worshipper or
practising black magic. In the ancient world, people believe
that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was caused by such evil spirit.
She was one of those spirit used to steal and kill babies as a
living. Buddha tried to awaken her by stealing one of the favourite
child, out of her 500 children. She was very upset and began to
search all over the places for him. In the end, she went to consult
Buddha. Buddha told her, "Since you still have 499 children, you
should rejoice. What's the big fuss over a lost child. Have you
consider how the parent feel when their child is kill by you?" In
the end,she was awaken to the pain of losing a child
and her former evil way. The Buddha return her child. Together with
her children, she vowed to reform her evil way and seek to protect
the people instead of harming them. The negative energy she
possess can turn into positive energy in protecting us (Literal).
Whether the story is real or not is subjective, just as it was
written in the Bible in the books of Job. How Satan went before the
God to seek permission to afflict Job.
On a metaphor level, she remind us that everyone is
capable of turning over a new leaf if one is guided by the truth.
Even misfortune or things which under some circumstances can
be very negative can also be catalysts for awakening.
Hence we should never write anybody off as a hopeless case. We
never know when there might be a sudden turn-around and then they
will become our benefactor.