The Nature of Mind, Five Defilements & Three Poisons in Buddhism

Perhaps there is nothing more mysterious than the true nature of our mind. The Buddha taught that the mind is luminous in nature but that it's temporarily obscured by the five defilements and the three poisons (three unwholesome roots). In this video I explore what the Buddha said about the nature of the mind and how these defilements are not something for us to identify with as they are not an intrinsic part of who we really are.
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Suttas used in this video:
"Vatthupama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth" (MN 7), translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, www.accesstoinsight.org/tipita....
"Buddhavagga: The Buddha" (Dhp XIV), translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, www.accesstoinsight.org/tipita....
"Pabhassara Sutta: Luminous" (AN 1.49-52), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, www.accesstoinsight.org/tipita....
"Jhana: jhana", edited by Access to Insight. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dh....
"Malavagga: Impurity" (Dhp XVIII), translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, www.accesstoinsight.org/tipita....

[@steelersnation7239]

Mindah, I have been learning soooo much from you. You are a life saver and following the Buddha has been a BIG life changer for me. Thank you from half way around the world in Florida, United States

[@nayanmalig]

You are a fantastic teacher. The Buddha himself would be mighty proud of you.

[@samuelhires2700]

Not sure the Buddha would have pride.

[@emeraldchylde]

@@samuelhires2700 most definitely, he would approve of somenes good actions. I think.

[@derekward3512]

He has in fact, he often prasied his worthy disciples!@@emeraldchylde

[@christianmyrill6127]

Your video is very clear and organized which allows even someone like me a starting point to understand these very heavy teachings. I will begin the process of purification of the defilements.

[@emeraldchylde]

Finally someone who actually teaches direct wisdom taught by the Buddha. Amazing. Thank you! It is so very easy recognize his 'voice', btw.

[@brianmiller7512]

I am new to Buddhism and your videos have helped me learn so much.The way you explain things makes it easy to understand.Keep up the great work.

[@ramoesgaston9966]

She is a good teacher may all sentient beings witness this profound brilliant glory.

[@StoneWallFlower]

I'd love to see you do a video of each defilement. These are what I am still struggling with understanding and preventing. I'm still understanding how morality, meditation and wisdom addresses each one. As someone new to Buddhism I am so grateful to have found your channel! Please post more!

[@emeraldchylde]

I second this comment. Its actually quite rare to come across direct, no-no sense presentations.

[@ganesanls8723]

I feel good when I listen to these . How stay like this- effects last for an hour or two - after that it becomes business as usual

[@christopherlannon8878]

Your a good teacher... simplifying potentially complex concepts. Keep going.

[@thedancingveganatheist6310]

Thank you for your channel. You are truly performing a public service. I often times try to be a big shot or "cool" or "better" than others -- which always results in me making my life worse. You have a way of helping me put my head back on straight. I thank you, I want you to be well and healthy and safe and enlightened.

[@artimussumitra484]

Your understanding of the Buddha's teachings and the way you explain them are so very helpful. I'm so glad you make these videos cuz they change my life.

[@elontrudeau]

You are the best buddhist teacher on you tube.

[@chadkline4268]

She speaks very well, very pleasantly, with clarity, and a nice happiness or cheerfulness.

[@msheboigen]

A wonderful teaching, Mindah! The Nature of Mind is so precious.

[@user-er4ir1hv8d]

What a beutifull way of expressing the Dhamma.Amazing May you all be well and happy with complete liberation from all impurities and defilements

[@mpilting]

I like your videos. You explain things very well and concisely. This is important for people like me, who are relatively new to Buddhism and trying to make sense of it.

[@ailaranta2606]

To liberate myself from a craving, toward one person, was as if I were cutting a big rope with a rusty knife. This kind of videos have been so helpfull. The verse 239 in Dhammapada was miraculous for me..

[@franknewmannz553]

Thank you for your effort to produce these videos. It is much appreciated! Your work has been of great use to me.

[@mayurtirpude9367]

Your teachings are like the teachings from the enlightened monk. They are easy to understand and compassionate. Thank you

[@bernardong5317]

Good introduction to Buddhist teachings and easy to follow for the general public - none threatening to other religious groups!

[@angellco6803]

I fell victim to fear and I notice my awareness is not as much there as it was months ago. I am working on caring for myself each day and not thinking as I can literally notice when i'm thinking or not fully present. I definitely have something with ego/fear and tower movements. whenever I reach a high or master something I doubt myself and rebuild. I am working on believing in myself more.

[@jnsyrsl]

Thank you for the teaching on luminous mind. 💙💙

[@Khamakazy]

Your mind is like a diamond and your compassion by sharing the buddha's truth is my blessing.

[@baby-boomer3693]

I'm enjoying your views on the Buddha's teaching. thank you.

[@mymexicandreamgirl9307]

You're a lovely person! Be good to yourself, Mei Mei!!! BLESSINGS🔥

[@richardwilliamson1639]

Thank you for this soothing and clear presentation, fellow human. The whole world is watching.

[@martynsnan]

Your explanations are easy to understand and better than any books I have read. Thank you for shining light on the topics in your videos.

[@emeraldchylde]

Yes, agreed.

[@ratanapho8206]

Thanks, best teacher

[@Khemadhammo]

great work!

[@ernestkienzle6058]

Dear Mindah-Lee, Stumbled across your videos (surely not by accident) and was amazed by the clarity and understanding you impart. At age 64, my hope is to yet experience the spaciousness and luminosity inherent in mind that you describe. Though the clouds and storms that obscure mind are numberless, may we all penetrate them in this lifetime. Metta, Ernest, NYC

[@tomeklutelmowski6933]

Great talk, thank you.

[@glennhess8492]

Thank you for sharing and this mornings blessing. I bow deeply to you.

[@jcksnjy]

Wonderful video! Great to watch again!

[@evandroantonucci2653]

Thank you very much for posting this! You helped widen my understanding a little bit more...

[@suttonsplash14]

Mindah your hotness is obscuring me from my mind's true nature

[@tawkinhedz]

Idle gossip

[@truthseeker1871]

All of the teachings of the Buddha are beautiful. I have never said otherwise. Mindah, you are doing a wonderful job of bringing the teachings of the Buddha to the people.

[@lyndeljordan7617]

Thank you for your videos. Your tone and speech pattern are as peaceful as the message and is truly helpful.

[@motta5665]

Hello Mindha-Lee thankyou so much for another video. They are usually very well prepared direct and resumed. They are helping me a lot in the discovery journey and also helping me to be a better human being. Congrats from Brazil! :)

[@456mjb]

That was VERY helpful!! Yes, please do other videos on the specific defilements in everyday life and how to deal with them! Thank you! Mike

[@itsame1277]

Loved your talk on these topics.

[@fnjr578]

amazing video mindah

[@saronyoeum9521]

sadhuk sadhuk sadhuk, it so wonderful with your powerful preaching

[@t.m.kmedia1136]

Your messages are always so pure and easy to digest

[@SomboonCM]

What lovely voice you have. Music to my ears.

[@petermorgan2967]

Thanks Mindah. Simply said and easy to understand.

[@Sramana358]

Thank you so much for simplifying teaching of buddha🙏

[@markbrad123]

Another informative around 20 minute video on Buddhism. Most people's attention span is around that time. Wish other teacher's would do the same.

[@Ecorr130]

You speak great..so calm and clear

[@BillSikes.]

Thank you Mindah for all your hard work making these videos to share with us and help us gain some understanding of Buddhism and the ultimate nature of reality, you've helped me no end in deepening my own understanding,for this I'm very grateful... Thank you =)

[@josevillacorta8160]

Great Buddhist teachings! Unequalled! 🧐

[@ukasudu]

Small but powerful video thanks for your great work . Namo Buddhaya

[@jimrose71]

thank you, simple, powerful

[@stevenvenn]

This is really well explained in a free and positive way (as I have said before, your demeanour and enthusiasm make your videos a joy to watch). Thanks again for another great video here! Looking forward to your breakdown of each of the defilements.

[@emeraldchylde]

Absolutely, amazing.

[@kanchalaj9978]

Wow this video is amazing!

[@MrKhangsar88]

thank you for all this

[@jakescorpion1]

Great video, it stresses the importance of the teachings which are not known to most. They are imperative to true enlightenment.

[@meditemoscl5019]

Thank you for this luminous video!!!!!

[@daisynakath8693]

very nice and simple explaining able to understand. thank you . you may enlighten for giving these explanations to the non Buddhists.

[@JorgeJimenezkagyu]

Beautiful video. Tashi delek!

[@kittisaratada2350]

Not angry Not hate anyone in the world we will live together with happy time forever.

[@Kim.minkui]

Got lot of inspiration from your videos, 🙏 thank you!

[@tanteikseng9807]

Like your clear n systematic explanation. The analogy is very useful.

[@normdeplume6315]

Wonderful analysis thankyou :)

[@L_MD_]

Enjoy coming back and listening to your channel - I hope the members site is still a possibility? :-) thank you for taking the time to record these teachings. Lisa - Twmba QLD

[@venrakkhita]

great work sister. Keep it up. sadhu sadhu sadhu

[@SrinivasansriSriramadesikan]

Inspiring

[@13c11a]

An excellent explanation of the nature of mind. I would like to hear your thoughts on Buddha recitation. I have let it completely replace my meditation practice. I am certain now that I must do both. Thank you, Mindah. Namo Amitabha Buddha.

[@maribelpabon8303]

I love all your video..

[@southernfrechman]

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu A very nice and inspiring casual dhamma talk ... especially the first part of your video it is a good and efficient reminder for one is (often) fooled by the tricks of his own mind! Thanks with metta

[@manyfaces4345]

You're a very good teacher. You try to make it simple for people that are new to Buddhism! You don't try to show off your intellectualism. You're humble, sweet and a cute person. That makes you a great teacher in my mind. I hope you are happy and have many beautiful days in your life. I'm going to leave now as I have a war to engage in with two groups of religious people that I despise!!! I can't tell you what 2 religious groups they are, so please don't ask😀. Blessings

[@pocketthoughts2211]

1st of all, thank you for these videos. I love them. They help me in my personal journey so much. Secondly, I would love you to do videos on the jhanas. Also some videos on meditation, what the Buddha said about it. How a beginner, intermediate meditator should meditate. The only meditation I have been exposed to is mindfulness meditation. Is this what the Buddha used to become enlightened? Excuse my influence of ignorance on this topic! Haha :)

[@pooki3luv]

It makes me understand more about myself

[@shyaaammeneen63]

Very nice video-Thank you

[@angiewhyte1689]

I like the way you ex plane things. i hope i can learn more from you .

[@joakimdernebo8400]

True wisdom

[@Borbak80]

Thank you for braking it down for us again, this is super. I love you analogy about the sky and the clowds. Could you maby recommend a good video, about the 4 ganas, i think it was? The meditation part is maby my greatest challenge. Thank you, and namaste

[@truth8307]

I think it's jhana, not ghana

[@koammarin2691]

Thank you

[@traegermethod3802]

Thank you.

[@ganesanls8723]

Awesome

[@stilljazzed]

Thank you. This new video is much appreciated! As the defilements a cover such a wide range, is there a best place for a beginner to approach removing them?

[@freddyjimenez7221]

Very good, congratulations

[@nigelsheppard2953]

Please can you do separate films on the Rupa Jhanas and on the Arupa Jhanas? You're videos are really good and clear

[@tobiasbeer2689]

luminous, indeed

[@georgegoodyear9631]

Thank you once again for your kind and useful teaching. Would it be possible one day to produce a video that deals with how one should try cope with the problem of how to skilfully react when tragedy happens to people whom we love? Thank you

[@tammyjackson413]

I love your videos! Wish you could do them more often. I found your channel looking for some advice on jealously, and you helped me greatly !! I was wondering if you have any thoughts on how I can deal with other people simply being rude ( family member)?? I always try to do they right thing and be a nice person! But at what point do you not allow people to treat you unkindly ? Thank you dear :)

[@tammyjackson413]

I also might add I understand that the rudeness of others comes from ignorance, but I can't get past my feelings of hurt and disappointment. My mind won't allow it! How do I overcome this? Any thoughts ?

[@paulbarnett9620]

I've had an interest in Buddhism going back some twenty years, unfortunately I haven't practiced for that time. It's been more reading books; theoretical. I wonder what tips you have to maintain motivation and how to avoid slipping back into sensory living? Really appreciate your videos.

[@truth8307]

I believe the best tip is understanding from the basics: who was the Buddha, his backgrounds but most importantly the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8 Fold Path. My grandparents are Buddhists but I never interested with it until I really understand the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8 Fold Path. Since then, I never want to leave the path and no other beliefs can sway me away from it.

[@jojoaja6106]

You have to see what the buddha mean: this life is DUKKHA

[@SrimanJohn1]

Great

[@gybx4094]

Very true.

[@briancareymusic1]

greetings from Ireland

[@allenmorgan4309]

I think I,know who I truly am because every now,and then I catch a glimpse,of,my true,nature but I,have trouble trying to remove all of my defilements.

[@devilworshiper4283]

Three things that cannot long be hidden: The sun, the moon, and the truth. Buddha

[@kkonti1113]

fuck you

[@truth8307]

@@kkonti1113 the Buddha will not use such language.

[@smednz4099]

Thank you. With metta.

[@letmein6670]

Anger is the destroyer of your own peace of mind🔥🔥🔥😌🔥🔥🔥

[@truth8307]

And the root cause of it is ignorance

[@freddyjimenez7221]

I would like to know the difference between Defilements and Hindrances.

[@LaoEast]

Defilement is like color, the original mind is clear like water. When red color gets into the water. The water becomes red. When anger comes into the the mind, the mind becomes angry. Hindrances are the ones that prevent you to advance in the spiritual path such as thinking of sensual pleasure, ill will, reslessness, drawsiness...

[@wisdomwizard3620]

You’re beautiful and wise!

[@harmanxx]

One concern that plagues many people is the fear of not being able to provide for their families. I know that in my case, I don't feel like the resulting stress and unhappiness is precisely caused by any of these defilements. The sensation doesn't seem to come from coveting/greed; there's no ill will; no anger -- nor any of the others in the list, I don't believe. The worry that one's loved ones may suffer is an obstacle to happiness -- yet a key message in the video is that all the misery in the world is due to the mind experiencing these defilements. I suspect I'm overlooking something obvious!

[@harmanxx]

***** Thank you for that helpful response (and for all of these helpful videos).

[@jmahcs]

Thank you, good work as usual! My question is: What's the difference between Mind and Self? Does my mind belong to me? I'm always confused by this concept of Anicca. Thanks!

[@richardsimon3257]

The Mind is something you have and it can be observed moment to moment via six domains (Five sensory and the sixth belongs to mental objects, but not located. It is effectively everywhere and nowhere. The Self is not found within the body or mind and neither is it found outside the body or outside the Mind. The mind effectively exists and does not exist and neither exists nor does not exist. The Self simply does not exist.

[@jojoaja6106]

Not anicca but anatta, there is nothing specific characters remain the same it keep changing overtime. Watch movies like(total recall) or (the matrix) maybe it can give some light

[@jsohi0082]

Anatta is lack of self-view. This means not saying whether the self exists or not, and not creating a definition about what the self is. The practice that I would recommend is breaking down the mind into its four aggregates and then saying "[this aggregate of mind] is not I, not mine, not myself". You also need to understand Anatta viscerally to eliminate self-view completely. Anicca is impermanence, and probably not as hard to understand as Anatta. Anicca is a way to practice of seeing things as impermanent, for example recognizing that you will eventually die whether you like it or not, or knowing that sense pleasures eventually go away.

[@ottoellison2832]

The luminous mind is like the sun. Negative actions and strong attachments may obscure my view of it from time to time, but I don't worry because like the sun 🌞 I know it's always there.

[@cesarjake4867]

Great overall explanation. I have been meditating for many years. I still lust after beautiful women, but my biggest struggle is anger. When I see people acting like idiots and disrespecting others I feel justified in wanting to slap them to stop them. I realize this is arrogant on my part, but I feel so justified in wanting to take action. It is so difficult not to act.

[@saketg5954]

Hello there, one question: Is the desire for love from another person also an example of craving?

[@benjamindupuy7419]

Yes

[@jojoaja6106]

Even the love to yourself is a defilement:)