Starter quiz
- What was the purpose of the Buddha’s Sermon at Benares?
- to describe the rules for monastic life
- to explain how to achieve material success
- to help people understand the causes of suffering ✓
- to teach that suffering is unavoidable and cannot be reduced
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- Which of the following is NOT one of the three poisons in Buddhism?
- craving
- ignorance
- greed
- compassion ✓
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- Why do many Buddhists believe suffering is important?
- It helps them understand ultimate reality and how to live. ✓
- It shows that life is meaningless.
- It proves that happiness is impossible.
- It makes people avoid spiritual practice.
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- In Buddhism, the ongoing state of desire that causes suffering is called ...
- 'tanha' ✓
- The Buddhist belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness is known as ...
- 'dukkha' ✓
- One of the three marks of existence, meaning nothing is permanent, is called ...
- 'anicca' ✓
Exit quiz
- What are the three poisons in Buddhism?
- wisdom, generosity and compassion
- ignorance, greed and hatred ✓
- desire, suffering and enlightenment
- karma, meditation and samsara
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- How is greed symbolized on the Tibetan Wheel of Life?
- by a snake
- by a pig
- by a cockerel ✓
- by a lion
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- Why do Buddhists believe it is important to overcome the three poisons?
- to achieve material wealth
- to break free from the cycle of samsara and reach nirvana ✓
- to become more popular in their community
- to avoid difficult emotions entirely
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- The ongoing desire for material things and selfishness is known in Buddhism as ...
- 'greed' ✓
- The Buddhist belief that hatred causes suffering is symbolised by a ...
- 'snake' ✓
- The inability to see things as they really are is called ...
- 'ignorance' ✓
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The three poisons are represented on the Wheel of Life as greed (cockerel), ignorance (pig) and hatred (snake).
- Buddhist teachings say the three poisons are the root of suffering (dukkha).
- There are diverse interpretations between Buddhists of the Wheel of Life and the three poisons.
- Belief in the three poisons influences Buddhists thoughts, beliefs and actions in different ways.
Common misconception
That all Buddhists interpret and respond to the three poisons in the same way.
How Buddhists interpret and respond to the three poisons depends on the school of Buddhism they follow.
Keywords
The three poisons - causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred
Ignorance - the inability to see things as they really are
Greed - the attachment to material things and the ongoing selfish desire for more
Hatred - a feeling of intense dislike, anger; wishing others harm
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