If you go even deeper into your gnosis. You begin to realise that there isn't really such a thing as an actual being. As reality IS the illusion. Your entire life IS the ultimate mara's trick. So your argument doesn't hold any grounds. The difference between a personification and an actual being, whilst still embedded deep inside the illusion, is a misnomer, and non-starter. Because you are still being tricked into attempting to create a distinction between two things, that are BOTH rooted in illusion. Mara knows your every move. Because you are Mara whilst still inside his illusion. You don't step out of the illusion until you step off the wheel. And break your reincarnation cycle. Everything is the trick. You are inside it. The way I see it, is that all the demons (including Mara), all the Buddha's, the Bodhisattvas, and all the Tara's. Are all alogorical characters, which describe different states of Mind. There is no doubt in my mind that Siddhartha was a real man, a very wise and compassionate man, but similar to the Jesus Christ figure, and many more Sages, and Godhead figures that came before them in time, are merely examples of how a perfect human should conduct themselves skillfully. The Mara character is a representation of death itself, and is the most ferocious of all the demons because death is the final illusion, after the illusion of life itself. Death and life are total polarised concepts. So yes, conquering ones own fear of death, (or defeating Mara) is the final step towards attaining immortality. Or achieving the perfect diamond mind. The enlightened mind. Fully purified of all fears, even the biggest fear, the fear of death. So why is the fear of Death, the biggest fear? Because its the ultimate unknown. Nobody can really prove, with scientific methods what lies beyond in the afterlife. And people do not like the unknown, or what cannot be proven. Conqueering ones own fear of death is also the only way to achieve true non-duality. Because at that point you see everything as an infinite interconnected web of intelligence, and concepts such as life and death are purley abstract terms. So conquering ones own death, is like announcing to the cosmos, and to the highest, most expanded version of yourself. "I'm ready, its taken me an infinite amount of incarnations onto the wheel of life, and I've learnt a hell of alot during my soul journey. But I'm finally ready. I do not fear anything anymore. I have cleared up all of my Karmic residue, and disentangled all of my quantum entanglements, and I feel light as a feather. My soul is finally free. Please, show me the next layer of consciousness that I cannot yet reach. The layers of the Bordo which lie beyond comprehension. I fully devote myself, and my soul, to the full journey and beyond. Lets go." And then you unlock your immortality key. Then the universe folds in half, and you become a singularity. And transcend space/time to arrive in your pure land, where all of the sentient life is free from suffering, completing your Bodhisattva vow, so you can now finally relax. Watch the children play under the Bodhi Tree, and listen to the birds sing. Then smile an infinitely compassionate smile. True Buddhahood. If you have a decent look into all of the religions and spiritual disciplines. They all have a common thread. They all contain alogorical descriptions of different states of mind, and layers of perception. Buddhism seems particularly very specialised at it though. Thats why I like it. The Buddha was a master psychologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, mystic, and prophet. And a really nice guy. Please don't get too caught up in the details though. As religion on this planet goes back millions of years. If you really wanna blow your noodle. You should research Animism, and Shamanism. Buddha was a Shaman. The Tibetan Llamas don't let that little secret out of the bag though. Also Buddhism is more than just Theravadan. Its also Zen, Vagrapani, Mahayana, Confucianism and Bon, but also barrows alot from Shamanism. Keep seeking. All is mind. The universe is mental. Life is the illusion. Death is gateway to the next level. (Dependant on soul experience, many a soul fall straight back onto the wheel again). ((Karmic residue)). Lucidity is a quasi space where deeper exploration into the mind can be achieved. Trancedental Mediation is similar to lucidity, only more focused. The psychedelic realm, is like taking a rocket ship into the very centre of your core. Enlightenment is the realisation that you have integrated all of your wisdom, from exploring your whole Bordo, and now ready to fully commit to the cosmos. The stories of Mara coming at Buddha, with his army, and then tempting him with his daughters. Is a description of what one has to experience in the final stages of this realisation. Its basically reality trying to over impose its dominance onto you, as you wave goodbye to reality. Cosmic Love to you, my brother. My Pure Land is Green Seven. Blessed by the presence of Green Tara and Amitabha of the East. Maybe I could see you there some day. You'll find me, right by the tree 🌳 😉

I think the Buddha's method for determining whether a technique was right was to see if doing it leads to the increase of skillful qualities in the mind and the decrease of unskillful ones. In regards to sense pleasure my understanding (potentially wrong) is that it's not a case of trying not to find them pleasant, but of not seeking permanent happiness in them and abandoning the ones that are harmful to you or others in the long term. In the four noble truths, your duty is to comprehend their orgination - to understand why the mind is drawn to them and what the drawbacks of chasing after them are. As I said, this is just my thoughts now. I may be off the mark. I heartily recommend the Dhamma Talks by Thanissaro Bikkhu KZfaq channel for short talks about this kind of thing. It's been valuable for me.

@Robert, one is breaking the precepts, the other, lay person sensuality is slowing down progress. That's why for lay person you can only make meaningful progress by attending multi days retreat where you are forced to live a monastic lifestyle for a while

Robert K, the Venerables just did a fairly recent talk regarding “duty”. Basically one can skillfully and wholesomely engage in duties to care for people who are dependent on them however, any attachment to outcomes, or identification/ownership as the “care giver”, needs to be seen as craving or aversion. One can be a caregiver and be compassionate without attachment or clinging. 🙂

The risks associated with attachment are significant. If you have a family whom you adore, you will be compelled to protect them, which could entail killing another individual, as you previously mentioned. Depending on your other actions and past deeds, this could result in your descent into hell. This act of killing might be the final unwholesome action that tips the scales and qualifies you for an extended stay in some kind of hell. Loving the world and finding joy in any state of existence puts you in a precarious situation, one that you may opt out of by relinquishing your delight. Please refer to our discussion on "The Story of Nanda's Mother" for more information.

@@ThaniyoThero What happens if I am attacked on the street then? I should let the attacker kill me?

@@ThaniyoThero Thank you for your generosity and answering bhante. In your opinion bhante, what's the best way to deal with the situation if it happens? Nowadays crime rate is rising up in my country, I'm affraid it might happen to my family one day.

@Aleksandar Kralj The answer to that question depends on why you would need this life - is it so that you can practice for the arahantship or is it so that you can go back to sensuality and indolence. If you get attacked in the meantime, while you are still clarifying these fundamental values, you should run.

@@HillsideHermitage I understand, I asked from a perspective of a spiritual practitioner. So, it should be the pursuit of Nibbana.