I grew up in the world where most people are struggling with greed, anger and foolishness (GAF). Though there were many delightful moments, but was never long lasting, and was quickly over-shadowed by GAF.

 

I was constantly seeking resolution for GAF in my early adulthood, but was unknowingly influenced by the effect of the GAF. The effect, on the surface, seems to be a good motivating source of energy to push me to do better in life, but subtly and slowly, I realized that I was losing identity and purpose in life, and I was not happy.

 

I realized later that if I want to overcome challenges in life, I must first seek to understand the causes.

 

One day when I was resting alone in a nice secluded hotel in Udon, Thailand, i, by chance, had discovered what I thought was the best description of GAF, and its causes.

 

After having understood the causes of GAF, I could feel that I am progressing slowly in the right direction in overcoming the GAF; though the journey of seeking resolutions in overcoming the GAF may never come to an absolute end, but at least i could enjoy the good effects which arises from the journey now, and i am getting lighter every each day as i passes through life….

 

I would like to pen-down here what I have discovered, in the hope that if anyone else is seeking the similar journey as me in future, you could well standing on my shoulder, and avoid many rough patches if you were to start off from ground zero.

 

Greed rises from the wrong idea of satisfaction; Anger rises from the wrong idea concerning the state of one’s affair and surrounding; Foolishness rises from the inability to judge what is the correct conduct;

 

Greed rises in want of satisfaction; Anger rises in want of dissatisfaction; foolishness rises from impure thoughts.

 

To get rid of these sources of ‘woe’, one must observe the precepts, must practice concentration of mind, and must have wisdom.

 

Observation of precepts will remove the impurity of greed; right concentration of mind will remove the impurity of anger, wisdom will remove the impurity of foolishness.

 

The Five Precepts are commitments to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication.