The mental nonvirtues: coveting, malice and wrong views

• The three are karmic paths of action and also afflictions, but not karma
• The four branches of a complete karmic path of coveting
• The four branches of a complete karmic path of malice
• The four branches of a complete karmic path of wrong views
• Reading the Gomchen Lamrim section to review the ten nonvirtues

Gomchen Lamrim 28: The three mental nonvirtues (download)

Contemplation points

1. What is the difference between a karma and a karmic pathway? Which of the ten non-virtues are afflictions and which are karma?
2. Describe the branches for a complete karmic pathway of covetousness. Think of different situations where one of the branches might not be complete. How does this affect the result of the karma created?
3. Venerable Chodron said that the karmic pathway of covetousness isn’t just the passing thought of wanting something. It is built up over time and becomes a strong motivation. Make examples from your life of ways in which covetousness arose in your mind. How has acting in this way been harmful to you? To others?
4. Describe the branches for a complete karmic pathway of malice. Think of different situations where one of the branches might not be complete. How does this affect the result of the karma created?
5. Again for this one, it’s not the passing thought of anger, not liking someone, etc. Make examples from your life of ways in which malice arose in your mind. How has acting in this way been harmful to you? To others?
6. Describe the branches for a complete karmic pathway of wrong view. Think of different situations where one of the branches might not be complete. How does this affect the result of the karma created?
7. What wrong views have you cultivated in the past? What wrong views do you see in the world? Consider the harm that wrong views lead people to do.