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 Systems

The 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:

  1. greed (or desire),
  2. hatred (or anger), and
  3. ignorance.
Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of three poisons in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Three poisons in Buddhism glossary
Source: Buddhist Door: Glossary

The Three Poisons or Three Roots are the source of all the passions and delusions.:

  1. greed or wrong desire;
  2. hatred or anger;
  3. 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)

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