Three poisons

Thethree poisons(Sanskrit:triviṣa;Tibetan:dug gsum) in theMahayanatradition or thethree unwholesome roots(Sanskrit:akuśala-mūla;Pāli:akusala-mūla), in theTheravadatradition are aBuddhistterm that refers to the three rootkleshasthat lead to all negative states. These three states aredelusion,also known asignorance;greed or sensual attachment;andhatred or aversion.^[1]^[2]These three poisons are considered to be three afflictions or character flaws that are innate in beings and the root ofcraving,and so causingsufferingandrebirth.^[1]^[3]

The three poisons are symbolically shown at the center of the BuddhistBhavachakraartwork, with the rooster, snake, and pig, representing greed, ill-will and delusion respectively.^[4]^[5]

Brief description

In theBuddhistteachings, the three poisons (of ignorance, attachment, and aversion) are the primary causes that keep sentient beings trapped insamsara.These three poisons are said to be the root of all of the otherkleshas.^[6]^[7] The three poisons are represented in the hub of thewheel of lifeas a pig, a bird, and a snake (representing ignorance, attachment, and aversion, respectively). As shown in thewheel of life(Sanskrit:bhavacakra), the three poisons lead to the creation ofkarma,which leads to rebirth in the six realms of samsara.^[1]^[8]^[9]

Opposite wholesome qualities

The three wholesomemental factorsthat are identified as the opposites of the three poisons are:^[10]^[11]

amoha(non-delusion) orpaññā(wisdom)
alobha(non-attachment) ordāna(generosity)
adveṣa(non-hatred) ormettā(loving-kindness)

Buddhist pathconsiders these essential forliberation.^[10]

Sanskrit/Pali/Tibetan terms and translations

The three kleshas of ignorance, attachment and aversion are referred to as thethree poisons(Skt.triviṣa;Tibetan:dug gsum) in theMahayanatradition and as thethree unwholesome roots(Pāli,akusala-mūla;Skt.akuśala-mūla) in theTheravadatradition.

The Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan terms for each of the three poisons are as follows:

Poison	Sanskrit^[12]^[13]	Pali	Tibetan^[12]^[14]	Alternate English translations^[12]	Skt./Pali/Tib. Synonym^[15]
Delusion	moha	moha	gti mug	confusion, bewilderment, ignorance	avidyā(Skt.); avijjā (Pāli); ma rigpa (Tib.)
Attachment	rāga	lobha	'dod chags	desire, sensuality, greed	n/a
Aversion	dveṣa	dosa	zhe sdang	anger, hatred, hostility	n/a

In the Mahayana traditionmohais identified as a subcategory ofavidya.Whereasavidyais defined as a fundamental ignorance,mohais defined as delusion, confusion and incorrect beliefs. In the Theravada tradition,mohaandavidyaare equivalent terms, but they are used in different contexts;mohais used when referring to mental factors, andavidyais used when referring to thetwelve links.^[1]

References

^^a ^b ^c ^dRobert E. Buswell Jr.; Donald S. Lopez Jr. (2013).The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism.Princeton University Press. pp. 546, 59, 68.ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.
^Damien Keown (2004).A Dictionary of Buddhism.Oxford University Press. pp. 8, 47, 89, 106, 143.ISBN 978-0-19-157917-2.
^David Webster (2005).The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon.Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236.ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.
^David Loy (2003).The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory.Simon and Schuster. p. 28.ISBN 978-0-86171-366-0.
^Guido Freddi (2019)."Bhavacakra and Mindfulness".
^Daniel Goleman (2003), pages 106, 111
^Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen (2010), p. 451.
^David Webster (2005).The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon.Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236.ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.
^Dalai Lama (1992), p. 4, 42
^^a ^bGethin 1998,p. 81.
^Steven M. Emmanuel (2015).A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy.John Wiley & Sons. pp. 435–436.ISBN 978-1-119-14466-3.
^^a ^b ^cPadmakara (1998), p. 336, 414. (from the glossary)
^Damien Keown. "akuśala-mūla." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia. (May 29, 2011).http:// encyclopedia /doc/1O108-akualamla.html
^Ranjung Yeshe Wiki - Dharma Dictionary.http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/dug_gsum
^Damien Keown. "moha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia. (May 30, 2011).http:// encyclopedia /doc/1O108-moha.html

Sources

Dalai Lama(1992).The Meaning of Life,translated and edited by Jeffrey Hopkins, Boston: Wisdom.
Dzongsar Khyentse(2004).Gentle Voice#22, September 2004 Issue.
Geshe Sonam Rinchen(2006).How Karma Works: The Twelve Links of Dependent Arising,Snow Lion
Goleman, Daniel(2003).Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama.Random House.
Keown, Damien(2004).A Dictionary of Buddhism.Oxford University Press.
Lamotte, Étienne(translator).The Treatise on the Great Virtue of Wisdom of Nagarjuna.Gampo Abbey.
Geshe Tashi Tsering (2006),Buddhist Psychology: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, Volume III,Perseus Books Group, Kindle Edition
Gethin, Rupert (1998),Foundations of Buddhism,Oxford University Press
Rangjung Yeshe Wiki - Dharma Dictionary.http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/dug_gsum
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche(2011).Awakening the Sacred Body: Tibetan Yogas of Breath and Movement.Hay House.
Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche Sherpa(2004).Gampopa, the Monk and the Yogi: His Life and Teachings.Harvard University.

External links

[buswelllopezmoha-1] Robert E. Buswell Jr.; Donald S. Lopez Jr. (2013).The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism.Princeton University Press. pp. 546, 59, 68.ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.

[2] Damien Keown (2004).A Dictionary of Buddhism.Oxford University Press. pp. 8, 47, 89, 106, 143.ISBN 978-0-19-157917-2.

[3] David Webster (2005).The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon.Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236.ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.

[davidloyp28-4] David Loy (2003).The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory.Simon and Schuster. p. 28.ISBN 978-0-86171-366-0.

[guidofreddi-5] Guido Freddi (2019)."Bhavacakra and Mindfulness".

[6] Daniel Goleman (2003), pages 106, 111

[7] Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen (2010), p. 451.

[8] David Webster (2005).The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon.Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236.ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.

[9] Dalai Lama (1992), p. 4, 42

[FOOTNOTEGethin199881-10] Gethin 1998,p. 81.

[11] Steven M. Emmanuel (2015).A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy.John Wiley & Sons. pp. 435–436.ISBN 978-1-119-14466-3.

[padma1-12] Padmakara (1998), p. 336, 414. (from the glossary)

[13] Damien Keown. "akuśala-mūla." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia. (May 29, 2011).http:// encyclopedia /doc/1O108-akualamla.html

[14] Ranjung Yeshe Wiki - Dharma Dictionary.http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/dug_gsum

[15] Damien Keown. "moha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia. (May 30, 2011).http:// encyclopedia /doc/1O108-moha.html

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