Three Poisons

In Buddhist teaching the Three Poisons at the root of human suffering are identified as greed, anger, and ignorance.

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Key Insights & Principles

Mindfulness

1. Greed, anger, and ignorance are the roots of human suffering.
2. Greed causes us to chase that which is not important.
3. Anger arises from within us - two people can respond differently when faced with external events.
4. Ignorance causes us to take foolish actions and decisions by not seeing things as they really are.
5. Mindfulness helps us recognise poisons - the root of suffering - observe the suffering itself, and transform them.

1. When any of the poisons starts to show, pause, and regulate breathing.
2. Keep desires and anger in check, and strive to understand the nature of things.
3. Aim to discard and transform the three poisons.

Book References