<![CDATA[Māra in Buddhism is often understood narrowly as an evil being that tempts humans to do evil, so it is often equated with the concept of syaitan in other religions. However, if explored further in Buddhist texts, especially in the Nikāyas or Sutta Pitaka, the concept of māra has a much broader and deeper meaning. To date, specific studies discussing māra as a philosophical concept that functions as an antithesis to nibbāna are still very limited. Therefore, this study aims to examine the concept of māra in Buddhist teachings based on the suttas in the five Nikāyas and the Sutta Pitaka, by positioning it as an antithesis to nibbāna. The research was conducted using a literature approach, with data analysis using the content analysis method, namely by systematically examining the text to find themes, meanings, and patterns of thought that appear in the suttas related to the concept of māra. The primary data for this study comes from the Sutta Pitaka, which is then enriched with secondary literature in the form of relevant books and academic articles. The results of the study show that māra in Buddhism does not only refer to personal entities, but also includes psychological and existential dimensions, in the form of kilesa, death, and conditions that keep beings trapped in the cycle of saṃsāra. In this case, māra is understood as the antithesis of nibbāna, which is a state free from mental impurities, free from dukkha, and free from the cycle of rebirth. This study provides a new perspective on māra that is not only an evil being, but also as a mental condition that hinders one from achieving nibbāna.]]>
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