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[Alexandr Korol]

3. Victory through Awareness:
• Buddha defeated Mara not by battle or violence, but through deep
meditation, awareness, and understanding the nature of illusions. He realized
that Mara is a manifestation of his own mind, and having overcome
attachments, fears, and ignorance, he achieved enlightenment, becoming
the Buddha (“The Awakened One”).
• By morning, after a night of struggle with Mara, Siddhartha achieved
nirvana, completely freeing himself from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Symbolism of the Victory:
• Mara represents internal obstacles: greed, hatred, ignorance, and ego.
Buddha’s victory shows that these obstacles can be overcome through
self-discipline, wisdom, and compassion.
• Bhumisparsha mudra (the earth-touching gesture) is a symbol of
steadfastness and confidence in one’s merits.
• This story inspires Buddhists to overcome their own “demons” —
negative emotions and thoughts — through the practice of meditation and
ethical behavior.

1. The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert (Matthew 4:1–11, Luke 4:1–13):

• Event: After baptism, Jesus went into the desert, where he fasted for
40 days. Satan appeared to tempt Him in three ways:
– Turn stones into bread to satisfy hunger.
– Jump from the temple to test God’s protection.
– Worship Satan in exchange for power over the world.
• Victory: Jesus rejected all temptations, quoting Scripture (for example,
“It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone” — Deuteronomy 8:3).
He remained faithful to God, and Satan retreated.
• Meaning: This victory shows that Jesus, as a human, withstood Satan’s
temptations and remained sinless, demonstrating the power of God’s word
and faith.