To Understand and Realize the Nature of Greed (Lobha)

Greed (lobha) is the attachment, the desire to possess, and the clinging preference that is always lurking within the minds of every human being. This greed is so subtle that it is an entity that can hardly even be seen. What is the primary nature of greed? It always comes together with the attachment of "I," and it is the mind that went to conquer every sight, sound, and sensation as "Mine."

The Nature of Lobha (Greed)

I want to explain that Lobha is a law of nature. Ledi Sayadaw wrote: "It is the natural state for river water to flow from high to low." Similarly, if we just let our minds be, they naturally flow towards the unwholesome side with a "whoosh". Lobha, Dosa, Moha happen naturally. To gain Kusala, one must correct [the mind] and make effort.

When the eye contacts a visible object, seeing consciousness arises. When the ear contacts a sound, hearing consciousness arises. Those seeing and hearing consciousnesses belong to no one. However, we claim "I see" and take possession of it with "I". Behind that "I", there is a big black hand. That is Lobha.

The Subtlety of Lobha

Before the Buddha appeared, Lobha could not even be seen. Because this Lobha is so subtle, it is only known when a Buddha appears. For example, we donate expecting benefits. That very expectation is Lobha. We think it is Cetanā or Mettā, but we cannot see that Lobha is taking possession behind them. That very inability to see is Moha.

I want to give an example. Someone keeps storing the memory of having helped another as "When did I help...". That is Lobha. When helping, Cetanā arises. However, later when it is posted in a group, Cetanā reappears and happiness arises again. Behind that happiness, if you notice that Lobha saying "I did it" is involved, you will come to know.

The Connection between Lobha, Dosa, and Moha

I want to explain that Lobha arises because of Moha. Because of Lobha, when one's desires are not met, Dosa arises. One must master this basic principle. As soon as the mind lacks mindfulness, why does Moha arise? It is just the law of nature.

Suppose someone notices they are getting angry. Before, if angry, they would explode with Kāyakamma or Vacīkamma. Now, while being angry, they ask "Why am I angry?", then mindfulness enters and they realize, "Oh, is it because of the Lobha of not getting the exact answer I wanted?" and they immediately become peaceful. Realizing this is very good.

Abandoning Lobha

We must understand that when we perform the five types of Kusala, all of them abandon Lobha. Dāna Kusala abandons Lobha. Sīla Kusala abandons Lobha. It is not about not eating dinner; it is abandoning the Lobha of wanting to eat dinner. Samādhi Kusala is recollecting the virtues or practicing concentration to prevent small Lobhas of wanting this or that in the mind. Vipassanā Kusala is abandoning the Lobha that possesses physical and mental phenomena as "My matter, my mind". Magga Kusala is final abandonment.

Unwholesome defilements are the disease; Sati is the medicine. Merit arises only when unwholesome states are rejected. This point is very important. Merit is when Lobha is abandoned; Merit is when Dosa is abandoned; Merit is when Moha is abandoned. One abandons Lobha with Cetanā, abandons Dosa with Mettā, abandons Moha with Sati. One must master this principle.

Lobha and the Suffering of Life

I want to say that if one's Lobha lessens even a little bit, it is not too bad; living becomes quite convenient. To lessen Lobha, one needs Right View. In the world, opposing forces exist together. You will find light as well as darkness. You will encounter praise as well as humiliation. It is the nature of Lokadhamma.

The Buddha pointed out the Majjhimapaṭipadā, the path free from extremes, to overcome Lokadhamma. One must know the gratification of good Lokadhamma. One must also know the danger of bad Lokadhamma. One must also know the escape free from good and bad Lokadhamma. If it is gratification, one tends to attach with Lobha, and if it is danger, one tends to attach with Dosa. Lobha and Dosa are due to the Moha of not knowing the truth. If the truth is known, Moha can be abandoned.

The Importance of Lobha and Sati

Lastly, I want to say that if there is Sati, Lobha, Dosa, and Moha are absent. What is that "Tut Tut" sound you hear? If the subsequent mind notes "It is just hearing sound", does Moha still exist? It no longer exists. Every time you hear, note it as Sound. Oh, coming to understand like this. If understood like this, what is absent? Lobha, Dosa, and Moha are absent. One has to develop that. Knowing like that is called developing. If one continues to develop like that, Lobha, Dosa, and Moha will cease in one's mind.

If understood like this, life will become quite convenient. Although one has to try hard to reject Lobha, this Lobha is so subtle that it cannot even be seen. Therefore, Sati and Right View are important. If Lobha can be rejected, one reaches Nibbāna. That's it.

Dr. Soe Lwin (Mandalay)