Why Did the Buddha Not Destroy Mara?

Question: Why didn't the Buddha eliminate Mara?

Answer: Mara is also a sentient being possessing Buddha-nature and will eventually attain Buddhahood in the future. The Buddha's mind is empty and compassionate, never opposing the minds of sentient beings. When Mara urged the Buddha to enter nirvana, the Buddha, having guided his disciples to maturity, decided to enter nirvana, thus fulfilling Mara's wish. Although the Buddha could have remained in the world for a small kalpa, he entered nirvana after eighty years. The Buddha's compassion toward Mara does not mean that Dharma protectors and disciples refrain from restraining Mara's evil deeds. The Buddha permits Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Dharma protectors to admonish and restrain Mara, preventing him from destroying the Dharma and the Sangha or misleading sentient beings. We must remain vigilant, not allowing ourselves to be deceived by Mara or fall into his traps.

If Mara expounds the Dharma, he skillfully captivates the minds of sentient beings. Knowing that sentient beings crave the five desires and six dusts, he subtly accommodates and encourages greed, guiding sentient beings toward desire while appearing seamless and perfectly reasonable. Only long-practicing Bodhisattvas can see through Mara’s schemes. Mara’s teachings also tacitly indulge sentient beings’ afflictions, cleverly encouraging their troubled minds, as he does not wish for them to subdue or eradicate their afflictions. Due to his cunning, most sentient beings fail to recognize his deception. Moreover, by not opposing their greed, Mara makes sentient beings feel pleased, thereby attracting many to follow him.