Buddha Posture: Pointing to Mara
(Thai: ปางชี้มาร, pronounced "Pang Chi Man")
Buddha is standing, eyes looking down, the left hand hanging beside the body, holding a stick, and the right hand raising up with the index finger pointing up.
Related Story: Godhika attains Sainthood while attempting suicide
On one occasion Venerable Godhika was diligently practising Tranquility and Insight meditation, at the side of Isigili mountain in Magadha. When he had achieved one-pointedness of mind (jhana) he became very ill and it impaired effectiveness of his practice. In spite of his sickness, he kept striving diligently, but every time he made any progress he was overcome by sickness. He was thus afflicted six times. Finally, he decided to strive for Arahanthood even if he were to die in the process. So, without relaxing, he practised diligently. In the end he decided to take his own life. Choosing physical pain as the object of meditation, he cut his own throat with a knife. Concentrating on the pain, he achieved one-pointedness of mind and attained Arahanthood before his passing away. Although it is extremely difficult to maintain concentration in the face of pain, he showed his determination.
After Godhika died, Mara went about looking for Godhika's consciousness (patisandhicitta), and the Buddha pointed him out to the monks, "going about like a cloud of smoke." Later, Māra came to the Buddha, like a little child (khuddadārakavannī) holding a vilva lyre of golden color, and he questioned the Buddha about Godhika. The Buddha replied to him, "It will be of no benefit to you to learn of the destination of Thera Godhika; for having been freed of moral defilements he became an arahat. One like you, Mara, for all your power will not be able to find out where such arahats go after death."
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