DiscoverANAN 10AN 10.174

The Buddha teaches on sources of deeds, presenting a tenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 10.174 Sources of Deeds

“Pāṇātipātampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Adinnādānampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Kāmesumicchācārampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Musāvādampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Pisuṇavācampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Pharusavācampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Samphappalāpampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Abhijjhampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Byāpādampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

Micchādiṭṭhimpāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi— lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi. Iti kho, bhikkhave, lobho kammanidānasambhavo, doso kammanidānasambhavo, moho kammanidānasambhavo. Lobhakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo, dosakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo, mohakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pāṇātipātampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

“Mendicants, I say that killing living creatures is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Adinnādānampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that stealing is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Kāmesumicchācārampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that sexual misconduct is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Musāvādampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that lying is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Pisuṇavācampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that backbiting is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Pharusavācampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that harsh speech is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Samphappalāpampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that talking nonsense is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Abhijjhampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that covetousness is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Byāpādampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that ill will is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Micchādiṭṭhimpāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tividhaṁ vadāmi—

I say that wrong view is threefold:

lobhahetukampi, dosahetukampi, mohahetukampi.

caused by greed, hate, or delusion.

Iti kho, bhikkhave, lobho kammanidānasambhavo, doso kammanidānasambhavo, moho kammanidānasambhavo.

And so greed, hate, and delusion are sources and origins for deeds.

Lobhakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo, dosakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo, mohakkhayā kammanidānasaṅkhayo”ti.

With the ending of greed, hate, and delusion, the sources of deeds are ended.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Aversion

Aversion

☁️ dark quality

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Delusion

Delusion

☁️ dark quality

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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Ending

Ending

☀️ bright quality

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Greed

Greed

☁️ dark quality

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Ill will

Ill will

☁️ dark quality

A mental quality of actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, manifesting as deliberate thoughts or intentions that oppose kindness and compassion; it fuels conflict and obstructs goodwill.

Also known as: actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, thought of malevolence towards another, hostile reflections towards another
Pāli: byāpāda
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Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct

☁️ dark quality

Transgression of boundaries in intimate relations—acting on desire in ways that betray trust, cause harm, or violate the commitments of oneself or others.

Also known as: crossing boundaries, infidelity, inappropriate sexual behavior, unfaithfulness to one's partner
Pāli: kāmesumicchācāra
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Last updated on July 27, 2026

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