Mild and severe forms of the three poisons The three poisons are greed or sensual attachment (lobha or raga), aversion or ill-will (dosa or dvesha) and delusion or confusion (moha). These are said to the unwholesome roots, or the roots to all other unwholesome mental states.

I'm trying to analyze the mild, severe and opposite examples of the three poisons, in order to get a deeper understanding what the three poisons are.

Greed (lobha)

The opposite of greed (lobha or raga) is apparently generosity (dana). Is this right?

The severe examples of greed include the desire to take what does not belong to you (to steal), covet another's spouse.

Can I say that the mild version of greed include the desire to buy certain types of clothes and dress better to make a good impression on others? How about the enjoyment of nice pleasant weather or tasty food, and the desire that it should continue further? What about looking at a good-looking person and desiring to go and talk to them? What about feeling happy when being praised by others?

Aversion (dosa or dvesha)

The opposite of aversion (dosa or dvesha) is apparently loving-kindness (metta or maitri). Is this right?

The severe example of aversion include anger that results in the act of killing or injuring others.

Can I say that the mild version of aversion include the dislike of unpleasant weather (too hot and humid, or too cold), or the dislike of minor physical pain (like a mosquito bite) and wishing that it goes away? What about judging others in your mind for their perceived flaws? What about being impatient because your friend is late to meet you for dinner? What about feeling displeased because you were criticized by others?

Delusion (moha)

The opposite of delusion (moha) is apparently wisdom (panna or prajna). Is this right?

What are severe forms of delusion? Could depression, anxiety, rage, terror, remorse be considered severe forms of delusion?

What would be mild forms of delusion? What if I fear catching a disease from mosquito bites? What if I feel unhappy due to others' criticism because I care too much about what they think? Or having regret that I did not purchase something when there was a discount which has now expired?

Or is this often linked to the greed (lobha) and hatred (dosa), and seldom exists standalone?

For example, I judge someone negatively in my mind, but it's actually because I did not understand the reason why they are in that situation?

Or I do things like dressing up better for getting recognition from others, but it's actually because I have the wrong notion of putting too much importance into that recognition?

Other types of negative mental states

How do other types of negative mental states like envy, sloth, conceit, miserliness, restlessness, lack of shame etc. (list of other unwholesome mental states here) connect to the three unwholesome roots?
Mild versions of Lobha would be the weak sensual desire of a Sakadagami or the Lobha of an Anagami


lust for material existence, lust for material rebirth (rūparāgo)
lust for immaterial existence, lust for rebirth in a formless realm (arūparāgo)


Mild version of Dosa would be the mild aversion that may arise in a Sakadagami.

Mild version of Moha would be the conceit, restlessness and ignorance of an Anagami.