Three poisons

The three poisons (Sanskrit: triviṣa; Tibetan: dug gsum) or the three
unwholesome roots (Sanskrit: akuśala-mūla; Pāli: akusala-mūla), in
Buddhism, refer to the three root kleshas of Moha (delusion, confusion),
Raga (greed, sensual attachment), and Dvesha (aversion).[1][2] These three
poisons are considered to be three afflictions or character flaws innate in a
being, the root of Taṇhā (craving), and thus in part the cause of Dukkha
(suffering, pain, unsatisfactoriness) and rebirths.[1][3]

The three poisons are symbolically drawn at the center of Buddhist

Bhavachakra artwork, with rooster, snake and pig, representing greed, ill will
and delusion respectively.[4]

The three poisons are represented in

Contents the center of the wheel of life as a pig, a
bird, and a snake.
Brief description
Opposite wholesome qualities
Sanskrit/Pali/Tibetan terms and translations
See also
References
Sources
Further reading
External links

Brief description
In the Buddhist teachings, the three poisons (of ignorance, attachment, and aversion) are the primary causes that keep sentient
beings trapped in samsara. These three poisons are said to be the root of all of the other kleshas.[5][6]

The three poisons are represented in the hub of the wheel of life as a pig, a bird, and a snake (representing ignorance, attachment,
and aversion, respectively).[4] As shown in the wheel of life (Sanskrit: bhavacakra), the three poisons lead to the creation of
karma, which leads to rebirth in the six realms of samsara.[1][7][8]

Opposite wholesome qualities

The three wholesome mental factors that are identified as the opposites of the three poisons are:[9][10]

amoha (non-delusion) or prajna (wisdom)

alobha (non-attachment) or dāna (generosity)
adveṣa (non-hatred) or mettā (loving-kindness)
Buddhist path considers these essential for liberation.[9]
Sanskrit/Pali/Tibetan terms and translations
The three kleshas of ignorance, attachment and aversion are referred to as the three poisons (Skt. triviṣa; Tibetan: dug gsum) in
the Mahayana tradition and as the three unwholesome roots (Pāli, akusala-mūla; Skt. akuśala-mūla ) in the Theravada tradition.

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

Alternate English
Poison Sanskrit[11][12] Pali Tibetan[11][13] Skt./Pali/Tib. Synonym[14]
translations[11]
confusion, avidyā (Skt.); avijjā (Pāli);
Delusion moha moha gti mug
bewilderment, delusion 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 tradition moha is identified as a subcategory of avidya. Whereas avidya is defined as a fundamental ignorance,
moha is defined as delusion, confusion and incorrect beliefs. In the Theravada tradition, moha and avidya are equivalent terms,
but they are used in different contexts; moha is used when referring to mental factors, and avidya is used when referring to the
twelve links.[1]

See also
Bhavacakra
Buddhism and psychology
Dvesha
Kleshas (Buddhism)
Karma in Buddhism
Taṇhā

References
1. Robert E. Buswell Jr.; Donald S. Lopez Jr. (2013). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism (https://books.google.co
m/books?id=DXN2AAAAQBAJ). Princeton University Press. pp. 546, 59, 68. ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.
2. Damien Keown (2004). A Dictionary of Buddhism (https://books.google.com/books?id=985a1M7L1NcC). 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 (https://books.google.com/books?id=
GLPGFoLED7sC). Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236. ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.
4. David Loy (2003). The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory (https://books.google.com/books?id=mwF6-s
gB-UkC). Simon and Schuster. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-86171-366-0.
5. Daniel Goleman (2003), pages 106, 111
6. Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen (2010), p. 451.
7. David Webster (2005). The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon (https://books.google.com/books?id=
GLPGFoLED7sC). Routledge. pp. 100–105, 177, 236. ISBN 978-0-415-34652-8.
8. Dalai Lama (1992), p. 4, 42
9. Gethin 1998, p. 81.
10. Steven M. Emmanuel (2015). A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy (https://books.google.com/books?id=P_lmCg
AAQBAJ). John Wiley & Sons. pp. 435–436. ISBN 978-1-119-14466-3.
11. Padmakara (1998), p. 336, 414. (from the glossary)
12. Damien Keown. "akuśala-mūla." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2011).
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-akualamla.html
13. Ranjung Yeshe Wiki - Dharma Dictionary. http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/dug_gsum
14. Damien Keown. "moha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2011).
http://www.encyclopedia.com/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.

Further reading
Access to Insight, Mula Sutta: Roots (AN 3.69 PTS: A i 201) (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an0
3.069.than.html)
Access to Insight, Nidana Sutta: Causes (AN 3.33 PTS: A i 134 Thai 3.34; BJT 3.34) (http://www.accesstoinsight.
org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.033.than.html)

External links
Transforming the three poisons (http://www.naljorprisondharmaservice.org/pdf/ThreePoisons.htm)
Three poisons on Ranjung Yeshe wiki (http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/Three_Poisons)

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