by livingdharmanow in Attachment, Dharma

The klesas. Also known as the afflictive emotions, the three poisons, the defilements. Out of ten total klesas, three in particular are regarded as the “roots” of suffering.

These three poisons are: greed/desire, hatred/anger, and delusion/ignorance.

Buddhism believes that these unhealthy emotions are what keep us trapped in the wheel of samsara, the cycle of human existence which is destined to repeat itself unless we can break out by becoming enlightened.

Ignorance

Ignorance and delusion are considered to be the starting point for the other poisons.

Ignorance does not, in this case, indicate an innocent inability to perceive the truth, but instead an active denial of what is true.

In the Buddhist philosophy, ignorance is a denial to see the world as it is: as impermanent and interdependent. It means that someone doesn’t understand the causes of suffering and how to make it cease, and it means that an individual thinks of him or herself as belonging separate from the rest of the world, instead of being a part of it.

Not recognizing ourselves as being part of the same chain of life, or understanding the impact that our actions have on those around us, cause us to perpetuate suffering in ourselves and others.

Consider this example:

One man thinks of himself as being different from the rest of humanity. His sense of self leads to an inflated ego and a drive to succeed where he is not ashamed of stepping on other people in order to get what he wants. He ignores the connections to other people who have helped him, and instead claims to be a “self-made man.”

He makes it big, and becomes rich, but it never seems to be enough. He’s constantly desiring new things, even though he has more than enough to live comfortably. His grasping nature takes over, and he continues the cycle of abusing others to get what he thinks he wants, even though he becomes dissatisfied very quickly after obtaining something he thought he once coveted.

He doesn’t understand the impact he makes on others, and his inability to recognize the impermanence of all things means that if he loses his fortune, or becomes very ill and close to death, it will be difficult for him to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer the person he’s identified himself as.

The truth is, we’ll never be youthful forever, and our lives are constantly changing. Nothing is truly guaranteed. Remaining attached to what we have despite these truths means that, if/when we lose things, we are left very unhappy.

Ignorance, the beginning of these three poisons, means that we don’t acknowledge or accept these truths, even when they’re given to us.

By accepting the truths of impermanence and interdependence, we can take steps to avoid and manage our future suffering.

Parts 2 and 3 coming soon!