I am still searching for more information on this, but according a forum I came across, Asura is actually a deity of Zoroastrianism, a god of law, order, moral and justice, and because he delivers justice, he is also regarded as the god of war, one who fights for the light and justice.
That's all I got so far, anyone got more information on this? Please let me know.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Pop Buddhism did not give Asuras a fair account.
Sanskrit: असुर Asura
Asuras are a group of deities from Hindu mythology, they are a group of children of Kasyapa, out of a number of groups.
And after the Buddhism emerged, Asuras were absorbed into Buddhism mythology.
In Buddhism, Asuras are generaly portrayed as a kind of temperamental supernatural beings. And the most popular story is that Asuras are always jealous of the other supernatural beings over their delicious foods and beverages, and waged war against them.
A little digging, and the only story I found is this:
A princess of Asuras was kidnapped by the king of Devas, so Asuras waged war to rescue the princess. While the Asuras were about to break through the gate of the City of Devas, the king of Devas chanted the mantra taught by Buddha, and mystical weapons were sent by Buddha to defeat the Asuras. Devas follow the mystical weapon and broke into the city of Asuras, and kidnapped all the female folks of Asuras back to Devas dimension.
King of Asuras sent a convoy to negotiate, accusing Devas as followers of Buddha, but committed multiple Buddhism sins like robbery, greedy, promiscuous, murders. Finally, Asuras and Devas reached a settlement, with the princess properly married to the king of Devas, and the Devas returned all the Asuras female folks they had kidnapped, and gave the heavenly beverages to Asura as dowry.
Now, according to this story, just what crimes and sins did Asuras commit?
-Self defense? Defending their princess? Buddhism teaching say it is one of the greatest good deeds to rescue a person's life, so defending a woman from rapist is certainly a good deed, instead of a sin.
-Starting a war? It was Devas who waged war against Asuras to kidnap the princess. Asuras were only responding in self defense. And why a king should not protect his people, his own daughter?
Regardless of this story, the pop Buddhism always give it in a short summary that Asuras are a group of war like supernatural beings that always wage wars against Devas and other supernatural beings.
Asuras definitely get a raw deal in Buddhism.
Asuras are a group of deities from Hindu mythology, they are a group of children of Kasyapa, out of a number of groups.
And after the Buddhism emerged, Asuras were absorbed into Buddhism mythology.
In Buddhism, Asuras are generaly portrayed as a kind of temperamental supernatural beings. And the most popular story is that Asuras are always jealous of the other supernatural beings over their delicious foods and beverages, and waged war against them.
A little digging, and the only story I found is this:
A princess of Asuras was kidnapped by the king of Devas, so Asuras waged war to rescue the princess. While the Asuras were about to break through the gate of the City of Devas, the king of Devas chanted the mantra taught by Buddha, and mystical weapons were sent by Buddha to defeat the Asuras. Devas follow the mystical weapon and broke into the city of Asuras, and kidnapped all the female folks of Asuras back to Devas dimension.
King of Asuras sent a convoy to negotiate, accusing Devas as followers of Buddha, but committed multiple Buddhism sins like robbery, greedy, promiscuous, murders. Finally, Asuras and Devas reached a settlement, with the princess properly married to the king of Devas, and the Devas returned all the Asuras female folks they had kidnapped, and gave the heavenly beverages to Asura as dowry.
Now, according to this story, just what crimes and sins did Asuras commit?
-Self defense? Defending their princess? Buddhism teaching say it is one of the greatest good deeds to rescue a person's life, so defending a woman from rapist is certainly a good deed, instead of a sin.
-Starting a war? It was Devas who waged war against Asuras to kidnap the princess. Asuras were only responding in self defense. And why a king should not protect his people, his own daughter?
Regardless of this story, the pop Buddhism always give it in a short summary that Asuras are a group of war like supernatural beings that always wage wars against Devas and other supernatural beings.
Asuras definitely get a raw deal in Buddhism.
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