Is there an opposing force to Mara?

[Tad]

Mara is the force trying to keep us stuck in this world. Like some teachers say, Mara has an ally in each of us in the form of desires. There are quite a few references to Mara in the suttas. Is there a force that is trying to pull us toward awakening? Have you found any hints of existence of such force in the suttas?

[Jhanananda]

Mara is the force trying to keep us stuck in this world. Like some teachers say, Mara has an ally in each of us in the form of desires. There are quite a few references to Mara in the suttas. Is there a force that is trying to pull us toward awakening? Have you found any hints of existence of such force in the suttas?

I find the claims of an evil force that works to keep us bound to the material world such as: devil, Satan, Mara, Maya are just anthropomorphizing the craving and covetousness that beings bound to the material world have. Some people need to externalize their mental health problems.

[Tad]

What would then be the proper interpretation of suttas that talk about Mara? For example, here is an excerpt from SN 35.115. Translation by Thanissaro.

"There are forms, monks, cognizable via the eye — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. If a monk relishes them, welcomes them, & remains fastened to them, he is said to be a monk fettered to forms cognizable by the eye. He has gone over to Mara's camp; he has come under Mara's power. The Evil One can do with him as he wills."

Belief in Mara does not relieve of personal responsibility. We always have a choice whether to follow temptations or not.

[Jhanananda]

What would then be the proper interpretation of suttas that talk about Mara? For example, here is an excerpt from SN 35.115. Translation by Thanissaro.

"There are forms, monks, cognizable via the eye — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. If a monk relishes them, welcomes them, & remains fastened to them, he is said to be a monk fettered to forms cognizable by the eye. He has gone over to Mara's camp; he has come under Mara's power. The Evil One can do with him as he wills."

Belief in Mara does not relieve of personal responsibility. We always have a choice whether to follow temptations or not.

Keep in mind that a prophet must teach within the cultural and linguistic constraints of the period.  Most religions have a concept of an evil over lord who tempts us.  The origin of this dualistic philosophy is Zoroastrianism, which appears to be the mother religion of all endoeuropean religions.

There is no arch evil dude other than our own craving and covetousness.