Lal, Sybe:
Thank you
Very enlightening comments.
“And that is actually the problem. He thinks people should be moral, do good deeds, and be born in deva realms just like him.” (Lal)
“I think one can say that someone aiming at higher rebirth (without seeing the need to reach sotapanna stage) is still under Mara’s influence.” That is to say, if one sees the need to reach the Sotapanna stage then one is not under Mara’s influence, and that is not consistent with:” i belief, only an arahant is not anymore under the authority of Mara, but EVEN A SOTAPANNA STILL IS).”
In search for enjoyment in the khandha’s one becomes bounded by Mara (SN22.65)
With wrong view one is under the yoke of Mara (AN4.49).” (Sybe)
What of those who attain that deva realm with magga phala? Sakadagamis, for instance? Does Mara have sway over them? It appears not, for they are guaranteed only one bhava in devalokas (they cannot be detained there after that) then, depending on their progress there, they attain either a higher brahma realm or Nibbana.
Much Metta to all