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Greed

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
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greed

(貪欲) (Skt, Pali raga; Jpn ton, ton’yoku, or ai ) A form of desire (raga), which along with hatred (anger) and ignorance, is one of the three forces that cause reincarnation.

One of the three poisons, the three sources of vice and suffering, the other two being anger and foolishness. T'ient'ai (538-597) says in The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, "Because greed increases in intensity, famine arises."

Greed is the cause of many offenses. The five greedy desires are:

  1. wealth,
  2. sex,
  3. fame,
  4. eating
  5. sleeping.

Greedy desire is endless and therefore can never be satisfied. The lesser the greedy desire, the happier and more satisfied we are. The best prescription to deal with greed is in giving away.

See also three poisons.

Source

web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo