Greed (Buddhism, Zen)

In Hinayana Buddhism, greed is: the means by which one lusts or is greedy; lust or greed itself; or being lustful or greedy. Its characteristic is grasping an object, its function is clinging or sticking, it is manifest by not letting go, its proximate cause is seeing as enjoyment those things which lead to bondage. Swelling with craving, it carries one away into states of loss.

One of the formations aggregate (mental coefficients) of Hinayana Buddhism, being listed among the constant states which appear in their true nature, and as unprofitable secondary (sometimes present in any unprofitable or unprofitable-resultant consciousness). Also, as all desires which involve attachment or covetousness, one of the three poisons – sandoku – of Zen. Also one of the four passions – kasaya – of Jainism, hindering the soul on its journey to liberation.