ANGUTARRA NIKAYA
NUMERICAL DISCOURSES OF THE BUDDHA
THE CHAPTER OF THE THREES
37. Lust, Hatred and Delusion
“0 monks, wandering ascetics of other sects might
question you thus:
‘Friends, there are these three qualities: lust, hatred and delusion. Now,
friends, what is the distinction between these three qualities, what is their
disparity and their difference?’ If questioned thus, monks, how would you
answer those wandering ascetics of other sects?”
“For us. Lord, the teachings are rooted in the Blessed One and have the Blessed
One as guide and resort. It would be good. Lord, if the Blessed One himself
would clarify the meaning of this statement. Having listened to the Blessed One,
the monks will keep it in mind.”
“Listen then, monks, pay careful attention. I will speak.”
“Yes, Lord,” the monks replied. The Blessed One said this:
“If those wandering ascetics of other sects should ask you about the
distinction, disparity and difference between these three qualities, you should
answer them thus: ‘Lust is less blamable but hard to remove Hatred is more
blamable but easier to remove. Delusion is very blamable and hard to remove.’
“If they ask: ‘Now, friends, what is the cause and reason for the arising of
unarisen lust, and for the increase and strengthening of arisen lust?’ you
should reply: ‘A beautiful object: for one who attends improperly to a
beautiful object, unarisen lust will arise and arisen lust will increase and
become strong.’
“If they ask: ‘And what, friends, is the cause and reason for the arising of
unarisen hatred, and for the increase and strengthening of arisen hatred?’ you
should reply: ‘A repulsive object: for one who attends improperly to a
repulsive object, unarisen hatred will arise and arisen hatred will increase
and become strong.’
“If they ask: ‘And what, friends, is the cause and reason for the arising of
unarisen delusion, and for the increase and strengthening of arisen delusion?’
you should reply: ‘Improper attention: for one who attends improperly to
things, unarisen delusion will arise and arisen delusion will increase and
become strong.’
“If they ask: ‘But what, friends, is the cause and reason for the non-arising
of unarisen lust, and for the abandoning of arisen lust?’ you should reply: ‘A
foul object: for one who attends properly to a foul object, unarisen lust will
not arise and arisen lust will be abandoned.’
“If they ask: ‘And what, friends, is the cause and reason for the non-arising
of unarisen hatred, and for the abandoning of arisen hatred?’ you should reply:
‘The liberation of the mind by loving-kindness: for one who attends properly to
the liberation of the mind by loving-kindness unarisen hatred will not arise
and arisen hatred will be abandoned.’
“If they ask: ‘And what, friends, is the cause and reason for the non-arising
of unarisen delusion, and for the abandoning of arisen delusion? you should
reply: ‘Proper attention: for one who attends properly to things, unarisen
delusion will not arise and arisen delusion will be abandoned.’”
(III.68)
Translated by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi