Inner Stains

The Buddha's words

Antarāmalasutta Iti 88 https://suttacentral.net/iti88

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, these three are inner stains, inner enemies, inner foes, inner murderers, inner adversaries. What three?

Greed, bhikkhus, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary.

Hate is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary.

Delusion is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary.

These are the three.”

Greed is a cause of misfortune,

Greed agitates the mind;

People do not understand this

As a danger produced within.

A greedy person does not know the good,

A greedy person does not see the Dhamma;

Blinding darkness then prevails

When greed overwhelms a person.

But one who has abandoned greed

Longs not for what invites cupidity.

Greed slips away from him

As a water drop from a lotus leaf.

Hate is a cause of misfortune,

Hate agitates the mind;

People do not understand this

As a danger produced within.

A hater does not know the good,

A hater does not see the Dhamma;

Blinding darkness then prevails

When hate overwhelms a person.

But one who has abandoned hate

Is not angered by what incites to anger.

Hate drops away from him

As a palmyra fruit from its stalk.

Delusion is a cause of misfortune,

Delusion agitates the mind;

People do not understand this

As a danger produced within.

One deluded does not know the good,

One deluded does not see the Dhamma;

Blinding darkness then prevails

When delusion overwhelms a person.

But one who has abandoned delusion

Is not bewildered by confusing things.

He puts an end to all delusion

As the sunrise dispels the dark.