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Entry: asura
Chinese char: ªü×ù
Explanation:
Asuras have a violent nature,
Laden with blessings, lacking power.
Absolutely determined to fight,
They bob along in karma's tow.
(TD 42)
The path of the asuras is one of the Six Paths of Rebirth (see entry); asuras are also one of the Eightfold Division of Ghosts and Spirits (see entry).
Asura is a Sanskrit word that is explained as meaning either a) one without heavenly beer, or b) ugly one, or c) not a god.
"They are without intoxicants because after drinking heavenly beer offered by Sakra, they became extremely drunk and were hurled out of heaven onto the slopes of Mount Sumeru on Sakra's command. Upon regaining their awareness, they vowed never again to drink the heavenly beer (sura). Therefore, they were called asura 'without intoxicant'." (DPPN 214-215)
Asura is said to mean 'not a god' because the asuras have the blessings to be reborn in the heavens but not the virtue of the gods and so are defeated by them.
"The category of asuras includes all beings who like to fight. Asuras who use their pugnacious natures beneficially join the armed forces and protect their countries. Asuras who use their propensity to fight in a bad way end up as thieves, robbers, and gunmen. Asuras may live in the heavens, among people, in the animal realm, or as ghosts..." (SS V 135)
"Male asuras are extremely ugly; the females are beautiful. It is the nature of the male asura to initiate fights. The female asura also is naturally fond of fighting, but wages covert wars, unlike the overt physical battles of the males. She uses weapons of the mind such as jealousy, obstructiveness, ignorance, and affliction. . . . The world is full of asuras who are constantly battling with one another, and they will keep on fighting forever. During the Age Strong in Fighting, that is, the present Dharma Ending Age (see entry), we should vow not to fight. If we do that, every place we go will become a place of genuine Dharma. If everyone fulfilled this vow, the Dharma Ending Age would become the Age of Proper Dharma." (TD 43-44)
Pinyin: a xiu luo
Sanskrit: asura
Pali: asura
Alternative: a fallen angel, a Titan
See Also: Six Paths of Rebirth, Ten Dharma Realms
BTTS Ref: TD 42-44; SS IV 239-242; SS V 135; TT 47, 57-58; VBS (May 1970) "The Kennedys Request a Lecture", pp. 34-37.
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