In Zen, “anger” is one of the three poisons, which together with greed and ignorance constitute the root cause of suffering and reincarnation for all living beings. Anger is hatred and resentment toward other people, things, or situations. This state of mind is not only damaging to our own peace of mind, but also harmful to those around us.
In Zen, “anger” is seen as a strong negative emotion that stems from ignorance and a wrong perception of "I" or "I have." When we are unable to achieve their desires or encounter unsatisfactory things, we are prone to anger. Anger can lead to more troubles and karma, increase suffering in life, and trap us in reincarnation.
The presence of anger reveals imperfections in the human psyche and misunderstandings of how to deal with challenges in the outer world and inner emotions. It is a reaction to dissatisfaction and pain, but this reaction itself produces more pain. Therefore, anger is not only an internal personal problem, but also a social and collective problem, because it is transmitted and spread through speech and behavior.
Anger in Zen Buddhism is regarded as a psychological obstacle that needs to be overcome. It not only hinders personal spiritual growth and liberation, but also destroys social harmony and interpersonal relationships. Through the practice of Zen, people can gradually reduce and eliminate anger, thereby achieving higher spiritual freedom and peace.
Read our meditation blog to understand more about Anger: The Three Mind Poisons in Buddhist Philosophy: Greed, Anger, and Ignorance.
