Practice Library

Module 3: Foundations of Buddhist Theory II: The Roots of Suffering - The Three Poisons · The Buddha’s Path

A module of The Buddha's Path study programme with David Oromith on the Three Poisons and the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, the Buddhist account of where suffering comes from.

In the centre of the iconic Buddhist image of the Wheel of Life, or Bhavachakra, you will find depicted a pig, a bird, and a snake. These three creatures represent the Three Poisons: ignorance, attachment, and aversion. These Three Poisons are, according to the Buddha, the source of our negative mental states, such as anxiety, anger and jealousy, and the root from which all unskillful or harmful actions spring. It is understood in Buddhism that as long as our thoughts, words, and actions are conditioned by the Three Poisons they will cause unceasing problems for ourselves and others. It is therefore essential that we learn to overcome these afflictions, in order to find lasting wellbeing and happiness in our life. The focus of this module is understanding these three root mental afflictions and their role in generating suffering. This module also examines the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, the Buddha’s explanation of the cyclical nature of dukkha and samsara. Through this, we explore the concept of samsara, or the cycle of rebirth, understanding its significance in Buddhist thought. We hope that this module will provide a deeper understanding of the root causes of our s

What this course covers

• The Three Poisons: ignorance, attachment and aversion
• How the Three Poisons generate our negative mental states
• Recognising and identifying these afflictions in daily life
• The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
• Samsara, and the cyclical nature of dukkha

Sessions

1. Introduction & the Bhavachakra 91 minutes
2. Exploring Attachment 72 minutes
3. The Antidotes to Attachment and Navigating Loss 88 minutes
4. Exploring Aversion 91 minutes
5. Aversion and Patient-Acceptance 83 minutes
6. Three Types of Patience & Self-Cherishing 67 minutes
7. Ignorance & Emptiness 89 minutes
8. The Twelve Dependent Links of Origination 84 minutes