The recent corona virus has caused quite a bit of stir. Whether it’s the more immediate health threat or the less obvious inner chaos, there is a lot of panic. While this panic is real, we should not lose sight of where we are heading.
It’s very important to practise normal precautionary measures such as washing our hands, it’s also equally important to not lose track of what we should be doing. Taigu, the Japanese Buddhist, reminds us of the three poisons in Buddhist teachings. They underpin our fundamental human characteristics, or human flaws, to be specific. What are they? They are Moha, Raga and Dvesha.
Moha relates to delusion and confusion. Raga relates to greed and sensual attachment. Lastly, Dvesha relates to aversion and hatred. In the time of the corona virus, we can quite easily see that we are easily affected by sensational news, prone to hoarding toilet papers and food, as well as blame and point fingers.
All of us carry these characteristics at all times, it’s just a matter of whether they come to the surface or not. Under more normal circumstances, these three poisons are kept under control, but in chaotic times such as the coronavirus crisis, they surface. These three poisons are what we should really pay attention to in times like these.