Commentary on the Sutra of the Assembly of Father and Son (65)

Attachment to the Eye Faculty is the Realm of Māra

The intrinsic nature of the eye faculty is devoid of all phenomena and detached from all phenomena; it possesses neither male nor female form. Therefore, we need not develop fondness or craving for the eye faculty. The eye faculty itself has no form—neither male nor female. To become attached to it is to enter the realm of Māra, for attaching to phenomena is falling under Māra's influence. Generating emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure toward any object constitutes the realm of Māra. Harboring such emotions ensures one remains perpetually under Māra's control. The demon king, known as Pāpīyas, resides in the highest sixth heaven of the desire realm. Due to his immense merit, he governs all six heavens of the desire realm, including the human world. If a sentient being becomes free from craving for the phenomena of the desire realm, thereby escaping Māra's grasp, the demon king will devise means to make that being rekindle craving for the desire realm. As long as craving exists, one remains bound within the desire realm, unable to attain liberation. Such a being becomes a disciple of the demon king—a child of Māra.