2) The poison of anger
Anger arises as a result of “non-love{1},” a dissatisfaction about the current situations or people. Hypocrisy and malignance are poisons of anger in disguise, while glaring eyes and fierce facial expressions are clear signs of anger. Anger causes verbal or physical insults, making one punch or assault others, blame everything but oneself, or even curse the gods for their misfortune. Anger in your family may cause you to walk out on them, anger in your friends will cause murder or harm, anger in objects can cause you to destroy them, while anger in adversity will cause hatred towards other people. Therefore, the poison of anger can cause tremendous harm.
Because of anger, wrath (krodha), resentment (upanaha), unhappiness (pradasa), and obscurity (mraksa){2} come into existence. Furthermore, pride, arrogance, slander, jealousy, and atrocious harms will also follow.
The flame of anger can burn out all roots of virtue. Our mind and nature, which are of virtue and goodness can be destroyed by the poison of anger.
3)The poison of ignorance
Ignorance arises due to evil views{3}, lack of awareness in the truth, and attachment to what is false and delusive{4}. Ignorance can also be represented by a false understanding of a matter, or inverted views in cause and effect{5}. Such a poison can cause paradoxical statements and confused views. Ignorance can cause us to speak, think, and act inappropriately; it will cover our understanding of good or evil, cause and effect, karmic retribution{6}, or sage or ordinary. Therefore the damage caused by ignorance can be tremendous.
Because of ignorance, conception (drsti), doubt (vicikitsa), evil (mithy) and delusion (vitatha) exist. Furthermore, disbelief, befuddlement, and foolishness will also follow.
Foolishness and ignorance are the main cause of suffering to sentient beings. Our clear and bright nature can be dulled by the poison of ignorance.
Key Words:
1. non-love 不愛
2. mraksa 覆
3. views 邪見
4. false and delusive 虛妄
5. cause and effect 因果
6. karmic retribution 業報