Buddhist term for the three fundamental mental afflictions: greed (貪欲), hatred (瞋恚), and delusion (愚痴). Often explained as the root of suffering. Used in doctrinal contexts.
三毒 is a more common synonym for the three poisons, often used in general Buddhist explanations.
Written forms
貪瞋痴
Standard kanji spelling for this Buddhist term.
貪瞋癡
out-dated kanji form
Variant using the older form 癡 for 痴; marked as out-dated kanji usage.
Etymology
From the combination of 貪 (greed), 瞋 (hatred), and 痴 (delusion), representing the three root kilesas in Buddhism. The reading とんじんち is the on'yomi of the three characters.
