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**Tusethede** · 09-07-2011, 04:31 AM

Hi JSmusiqalthinka,

In Buddhism, such things are usually considered in terms of the "three poisons" -- greed, hatred and delusion. It seems to me that some combination of the three should account for the horrors you mention.

At least from what I've encountered, I wouldn't say Buddhists always avoid the word "evil". I have seen it used. However, the word can have connotations which run counter to the dharma. For instance, it can imply a sort of permanent state -- someone is born evil, is evil now, and will be evil forever. According to the Buddha, however, even the worst mass murderer or terrorist has the capacity to become an enlightened person, and even good people have the capacity to be snared by the three poisons.

09-07-2011, 04:31 AM	#2
Tusethede Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 437 Senior Member	Hi JSmusiqalthinka, In Buddhism, such things are usually considered in terms of the "three poisons" -- greed, hatred and delusion. It seems to me that some combination of the three should account for the horrors you mention. At least from what I've encountered, I wouldn't say Buddhists always avoid the word "evil". I have seen it used. However, the word can have connotations which run counter to the dharma. For instance, it can imply a sort of permanent state -- someone is born evil, is evil now, and will be evil forever. According to the Buddha, however, even the worst mass murderer or terrorist has the capacity to become an enlightened person, and even good people have the capacity to be snared by the three poisons.
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