buddhadhamma

Lobha sutta | Greed (ITI 1)

Lobha sutta | Greed (ITI 1)

Thus it was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, I have heard:

"Bhikkhus, abandon one thing; I am your guarantor for non-returning. What one thing? Bhikkhus, abandon greed; I am your guarantor for non-returning.

The Blessed One spoke this matter. Therefore, it is said thus:

"When overcome by greed, beings go to a bad destination; Completely comprehending greed, those with insight abandon it; Having abandoned it, they do not come again, to this world at any time."

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard.


Greed is a defilement (a taint) of the mind that manifests as craving for material possessions, for consuming, for having experiences. To completely comprehend greed, one should understand the attachment, the holding on to, and clinging at the five aggregates.

Related Teachings:

Steadying the mind against the poisons of greed, hate and delusion (AN 4.117) - The Buddha's teachings when practiced become a support for the mind, allowing it to remain steady in situations that once used to shake it up.

Understanding 30 mental qualities that lead to enlightenment ↗️ - Greed, hate and delusion are the last layer of the ten layers of three mental qualities each to be uprooted to get to enlightenment. This teaching can be used to see the next layer of qualities to uproot and its antidote qualities to be cultivated.

A teaching on the Turning of the Aggregates of Clinging (SN 22.56) - The Buddha did not claim to be awakened until he had fully understood each of the five aggregates in the light of each of the four noble truths. This discourse includes definitions of each of the aggregates.

The Continuance of Consciousness (SN 12.38) - Intentions, plans or underlying tendencies become the basis for the continuance of consciousness from one life to the next.

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