The unwholesome roots of suffering

The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Delusion

What are the Three Poisons in Buddhism, and how do they drive daily suffering?

Direct Answer: Greed (Lobha), hatred (Dosa), and delusion (Moha) are the three unwholesome motivational roots (Akusala Mūla) that fuel reactive behavior, cognitive distortion, and cyclic stress.

1. Trigger → 2. Root Pull → 3. Pause → 4. Wise Response
The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Delusion · contemplative map · lightofdharma.org/topics/three-poisons-kilesa

Fuller teaching

In the Mūla Sutta (AN 3.69), the Buddha traces all unskillful speech, action, and internal friction back to these three fires. Greed grasps and demands more; hatred pushes away and attacks; delusion forgets conditionality and builds rigid self-narratives.

The practice is not self-hatred or violent suppression. Recognizing a poison in real-time breaks its hypnotic momentum, allowing the balancing roots—generosity (alobha), loving-kindness (adosa), and wisdom (amoha)—to emerge.

Canonical source

Mūla Sutta · AN 3.69 — The three unwholesome roots and their transformation.

Tracing the motivational root

  1. Notice when agitation, urgency, or irritation arises.
  2. Ask gently: "Is this reaching (greed), resisting (hatred), or confused (delusion)?"
  3. Feel the bodily tension without acting immediately.
  4. Take one conscious breath and choose the balancing antidote.

Related terminology

Structured learning path

  1. Three Craving Roots Synthesis
  2. Dependent Origination: Three Root Poisons