The Encyclopedia of World Religions

278 S Maori religion

ing the night that follows, Siddhartha attains enlightenment. Later Buddhist tradition talks of literally mil lions of Maras or demons. Their overseer is the Mara who tempted Siddhartha. marriage and religion The religious background and meaning of the institution of marriage. Mar riage, the socially recognized union of a particular man and woman for the purpose of living together and (if of the right age and capable) procreating and raising children, is found in every culture of the world. It is basic to the establishment of the family, the foundational institution of all societies. It is therefore acknowledged by the religions of all cultures to be sanctioned by the divine powers that made the world and regulate the social order. In many societies and religions, marriage is also seen as a religious state in its own right, not just a civil circumstance, and the wedding or marriage cere mony that establishes it as a religious rite. The pair may be brought together by family, or community arrangement, sometimes without ever having met, or of their own will on the basis of love. In many societies, marriages seal important family alliances as well as individual preferences and may include major expense, usually on the part of the bride’s family, in the form of dowries and the wedding celebrations. Some religions in their traditional form, such as traditional C ONFUCIANISM , I SLAM , and J UDAISM , have regarded marriage as virtually obligatory, or at least essential for one’s full completeness as a human being fulfilling one’s adult role in the community. Others, like H INDUISM , B UDDHISM , and C HRISTIANITY , have recognized CELIBACY , as MONKS AND NUNS , priests, or even laypersons, as a valid alternative to marriage. In some cases, it is con sidered to be spiritually superior to the married state. However, the great majority of human beings throughout history have been married, frequently in RITUALS demonstrating the religious character of the occasion. These rites characteristically empha size both the community and family nature of

As the first man, Manu is also the ultimate ancestor of all royal dynasties. He gave rise to the solar dynasty through his son Iksvaku and to the lunar dynasty through his grandson Pururavas. An ancient sage, Manu is also alleged to have authored the most influential of the Hindu law books, the Laws of Manu.

Maori religion See P ACIFIC O CEAN RELIGIONS .

mappo Japanese for “latter law.” It is the notion that we are living in a degenerate age in which no one can achieve enlightenment through one’s own efforts. Mappo is the last of three stages of history. In the first, people practiced the B UDDHA ’s teach ings and attained enlightenment. In the second, it became rare for those who practiced the Buddha’s way to attain enlightenment. Today people are unable even to practice the Buddha’s way. Japanese Buddhists believed the age of mappo began in 1052. The idea became very significant for medieval Japanese B UDDHISM , especially the P URE L AND B UDDHISM schools founded by Honen (1133–1212) and Shinran (1175–1262). These two preached that in the age of mappo our own power is inadequate. Therefore, we must rely on the “other-power” of the Buddha A MIDA . Mara A Sanskrit word for “death”; the embodi ment of EVIL in Buddhist legend. Mara constantly strives to frustrate the efforts of the B UDDHA and his followers. Mara’s most famous appearance in Bud dhist traditions occurs just prior to Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment as the Buddha. Mara is disturbed that Siddhartha will escape from the realm of desire and rebirth ( see NIRVANA ). Therefore, he appears before Siddhartha and tempts him. The temptation culminates when Mara offers Siddhartha his three daughters, Dis content, Delight, and Desire. Siddhartha refuses. When the sun goes down, Mara departs. Dur