The Three Poisons (Skt.: त्रिविष, Triviṣa; Pāli: Tivisa or Akusala-mūla), also known as The Three Unwholesome Roots, are the primary mental states that lead to suffering and the perpetuation of the cycle of samsāra (birth, death, and rebirth). These mental defilements—lobha (greed), dveṣa (hatred), and moha (delusion)—are considered the root causes of all unskillful actions, thoughts, and emotions. In Buddhist philosophy, overcoming or transforming these poisons is central to attaining liberation from suffering and achieving enlightenment (nirvāṇa).

The Three Poisons are depicted as the core afflictions that drive negative karma and keep beings bound in samsāra. They are symbolized as three animals—usually a rooster, a snake, and a pig—at the center of the Buddhist Wheel of Life (bhavacakra), representing the continuous cycle of suffering and rebirth.

The Three Poisons:

  1. Lobha (Greed or Attachment) • Sanskrit/Pāli: लोभ (Lobha) • Symbol: The rooster. • Description: Lobha represents desire, craving, or attachment. It is the tendency to cling to material objects, sensual pleasures, and even ideas or beliefs, in the hope of obtaining satisfaction or fulfillment. Greed leads to dissatisfaction because it is rooted in the misconception that happiness can be found in external things, which are inherently impermanent. • Impact: Greed fuels an endless cycle of craving and grasping, leading to suffering when desires are unmet or when temporary satisfaction fades. It can manifest as materialism, possessiveness, or addiction to pleasure.

  2. Dveṣa (Hatred or Aversion) • Sanskrit/Pāli: द्वेष (Dveṣa) / Dosa (Pāli) • Symbol: The snake. • Description: Dveṣa refers to aversion, anger, or ill-will. It is the mental state of rejecting or pushing away things, people, or experiences that one finds unpleasant or threatening. Hatred arises when we encounter something we dislike and want to distance ourselves from it, either emotionally or physically. • Impact: Hatred manifests as anger, frustration, resentment, or hostility, causing harm to oneself and others. It creates division, disrupts peace of mind, and perpetuates conflict and suffering.

  3. Moha (Delusion or Ignorance) • Sanskrit/Pāli: मोह (Moha) • Symbol: The pig. • Description: Moha refers to ignorance or delusion, particularly regarding the nature of reality. It is the fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of existence, characterized by a failure to see things as they truly are. In Buddhist teachings, this includes ignorance of the Three Marks of Existence: impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā). • Impact: Delusion leads to distorted views, confusion, and clinging to false beliefs, which obscure the mind’s ability to see reality clearly. It is the root cause of both greed and hatred, as it blinds individuals to the interconnected and impermanent nature of all things.

The Role of the Three Poisons in Samsāra:

The Three Poisons are the driving forces behind all unwholesome actions (akusala karma) that keep beings trapped in the cycle of samsāra. As long as these afflictions dominate the mind, individuals remain bound to the constant cycle of rebirth and suffering. The Buddha taught that the path to liberation involves recognizing, understanding, and ultimately eradicating these poisons through meditation, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of wisdom.

Overcoming the Three Poisons:

  1. Greed is overcome by Generosity: The antidote to lobha is practicing Dāna (generosity). By giving selflessly and sharing with others, one weakens attachment and cultivates a spirit of openness and non-possessiveness.
  2. Hatred is overcome by Loving-Kindness (मेत्ता Mettā): The antidote to dveṣa is mettā, or loving-kindness. By developing a mind filled with compassion and goodwill toward all beings, one transforms feelings of ill-will into love and peace.
  3. Delusion is overcome by Wisdom (Paññā): The antidote to moha is cultivating wisdom and insight into the true nature of reality. Through practices such as mindfulness and insight meditation (vipassanā), one comes to understand the impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of all phenomena.

In Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, the transformation of the Three Poisons is an essential part of the path to enlightenment. For example, in Vajrayāna Buddhism, the energy of greed, hatred, and delusion is seen as potential wisdom energies that can be transformed through advanced tantric practices.

Symbolism in the Bhavacakra:

In the Wheel of Life (bhavacakra), the Three Poisons are depicted at the center, driving the entire cycle of existence. The rooster, snake, and pig chase one another in an endless cycle, symbolizing the continuous interplay of desire, aversion, and ignorance, which fuels the suffering of samsāra.

Sanskrit Devanagari:

•	लोभ, द्वेष, मोह

Pāli Script (Brahmi):

•	𑀮𑁄𑀪, 𑀤𑁂𑀲, 𑀫𑁄𑀳

Pāli Script (Sinhala):

•	ලෝභ, ද්වේෂ, මෝහ