Greed (lobha)
Unskillful qualities / Three Unwholesome Roots / Greed 
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Part of tag cluster Sensual desire in key topic Unskillful Qualities
See also: Sensual desire, Craving, Generosity
21 excerpts, 1:41:10 total duration




Metta Retreat, Session 2 – Sep. 10, 2008

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7. “What is the difference between taṇhā and lobha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Craving] [Greed] // [Pāli] [Desire] [Cause of Suffering]


Tudong Stories at Spirit Rock, Session 3 – Jun. 2, 2011

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2. Story: Ajahn Chah obsesses about getting robes. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Poverty] [Robes] [Greed] [Tudong] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Determination] [Simplicity] [Craving] [Ajahn Kinaree]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 35 – Feb. 27, 2013

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6. “Why is greed harder to remove than anger (AN 3.68)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Greed] [Aversion]


Right Speech and Living with Ourselves, Session 3 – Oct. 8, 2016

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2. Question about using the brahmavihāras to counteract covetousness compared to the approach described in MN 18. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Greed] [Divine Abidings] // [Right Effort] [Discernment] [Learning]


Readings from The Island, Session 5 – Jan. 15, 2025

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3. “Using the words passion and greed as if they are interchangeable seems difficult for me to see. Passion seems a lot wider. How is one passionate about something? How am I greedy about something? If I’m passionate about Buddhism, how am I greedy about Buddhism?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Desire] [Greed] // [Unwholesome Roots] [Aversion] [Etymology] [Teaching Dhamma] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]

Suttas: SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Chanting book translation); SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta: (Chanting book translation); SN 35.28: Ādittapariyāya Sutta (Chanting book translation).

Follow-up: “I relate more to rage and passion than I do to greed. Is it okay to make my three poisons …?” [Greed]


Readings from The Island, Session 27 – Feb. 16, 2025

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6. Quote: “Whenever you have feelings of love or hate for anything whatsoever, these will be your aides and partners in building pārami. The Buddha Dhamma is not to be found in moving forwards, nor in moving backwards, nor in standing still. This, Sumedho, is your place of non-abiding.” — Ajahn Chah’s only letter to Ajahn Sumedho. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Greed] [Aversion] [Perfections] [Dhamma] [Middle Path ] // [Relinquishment] [Knowing itself]


Readings from The Island, Session 44 – Mar. 12, 2025

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6. Recollection: Ajahn Chah’s advice for establishing mindfulness in the midst of strong emotions. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness] [Emotion] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Food] [Suffering] [Conditionality] [Equanimity] [Mindfulness of body] [Greed]

Story: Ajahn Chah eats 37 mangoes.


Readings from The Island, Session 56 – Mar. 30, 2025

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4. Story: Joseph Goldstein recognizes stinginess with regard to Dhamma (AN 5.260). Told by Ajahn Amaro. [Joseph Goldstein] [Greed] [Dhamma] // [Insight meditation]


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5. “Could you repeat the five types of stinginess (AN 5.260)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Greed ] // [Family] [Corruption] [Lodging] [Gain and loss] [Fame and disrepute] [Teaching Dhamma]

Story: Ajahn Mahā Prasert gets sent to Nebraska. [Ajahn Mahā Prasert] [Jealousy]

Suttas: SN 17: Connected Discourses on Gain, Honor, and Fame.

Reading: SN 17.5: The Dung Beetle. [Humor] [Similes]

Reflections on the kammic effects of King Ajātasattu killing his father (DN 2.101). [Kamma] [Killing] [Parents] [Stream entry]

Vinaya: Khandhaka 21.1.3: The First Council occurred at Rājagha, King Ajātasattu’s capital city.


Abhayagiri's 30th Anniversary Part 1, Session 4 – May. 30, 2026

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1. Reflection from Ajahn Chah about rich people: “They may have money, but they don’t know what’s enough.” Related by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Commerce/economics] [Greed] // [Wat Pah Pong] [Relinquishment] [Happiness] [Contentment]