Three poisons, Three evil roots, Three fires: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Three poisons means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical SystemsThe Three Poisons are known in Tibetan as sdug gsum.—Accordingly, the delusions (Tibetan: nyon mongs; Sanskrit: kleśa) are also translated as “afflictions” or “defilements” and represent the fundamental negative factors that, along with karma, serve to keep sentient beings in their samsaric condition and must be uprooted for liberation to occur. Lists of delusions are manifold, and range from the so-called three poisons, to the twenty deluded mental factors specified in abhidharma, to symbolically potent but nonspecific references to 84,000 delusions.
The Three Poisons are:
- greed (or desire),
- hatred (or anger), and
- ignorance.

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryThe Three Poisons or Three Roots are the source of all the passions and delusions.:
- greed or wrong desire;
- hatred or anger;
- illusion or stupidity or ignorance.
Another group is the Three Grades of Good “Roots” or Abilities, i.e. superior, medium and inferior.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Three, Root, Poison, Te.
Full-text (+33): Agnitraya, Agnitreta, Ahavaniya, Moha, Amgnatreta, Bhautika, Vishagni, Trivishagni, Parthiva, Dvesha, Raga, Greed, Hatred, Ignorance, Illusion, Stupidity, Agnisamskara, Trivahni, nyon mongs, Avidya.
Relevant text
Search found 86 books and stories containing Three poisons, The three fires, The three poisons, Three evil roots, Three fires; (plurals include: Three poisonses, The three fireses, The three poisonses, Three evil rootses, Three fireses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. Eliminating the three poisons from the kṣetra < [Part 1 - Eliminating the three poisons]
VI. Where the destruction of the traces is located < [VIII. Destroying the traces of the conflicting emotions]
Part 2 - The nine notions according to the Mahāyana < [Chapter XXXV - The Nine Horrible Notions]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
Part 1b - The basis of the confusion in the eight consciousnesses < [B. The extended explanation of the particulars]
Part 1b.2a - The root, ignorance < [B. The extensive explanation of the nature of karma]
D. The dedication of merit < [Chapter XI - Meditation, the Chapter of Spotless dhyana]
Soma in Vedic Mythology and Ritual (study) (by Anjana Chakraborty)
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2.230 < [Section XXX - Rules to be observed by the Religious Student]
Verse 3.153 < [Section VIII - Śrāddhas]
Verse 11.36 < [Section II - The Brāhmaṇa’s Responsibilities and Privileges regarding Sacrificial Performances]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Text 17.5 (Commentary) < [Chapter 17 (Text And Commentary)]
Text 15.17 (Commentary) < [Chapter 15 (Text and Commentary)]
Text 15.12 (Commentary) < [Chapter 15 (Text and Commentary)]