The Three Poisons and the Illusion of Self

Speaker: Venerable Won Bo (online, joining from Korea)

Monday 20 October | 7.00-8.30pm AEST

Location: In person at Western Sydney University (74 Rickard Rd, Bankstown City Campus), Room 1.4.34 on level 4 or Online (Zoom link below)

Cost: Free

The Buddha taught that the three poisons—craving, aversion, and ignorance—are the root of all suffering. In Buddhism, these are not considered personal faults or weaknesses, but deeply ingrained patterns of the mind. Unless we honestly look at them, recognize them, and practice with them, they will continue to control us, life after life, keeping us bound to samsara.

At the root of the False Self lies ignorance—the not-seeing of impermanence, emptiness, and selflessness. Because of this blindness, we build an identity out of craving and aversion and mistake it for who we really are.

In our contemporary societies, the three poisons and the illusion of Self are not only present—they are amplified. Consumer culture feeds endless craving, telling us we are never enough unless we have more, achieve more, or want more. Social and political life thrives on aversion, dividing people into “us” and “them.” Ignorance is reinforced by distraction, constant entertainment, and misleading information. Within such conditions, the illusion of Self grows stronger, appearing as our success, our image, and our identity.

Even in Buddhist practice, the three poisons can disguise themselves. They can appear as a pleasant self-image: “I am a practitioner, I am compassionate, I am wise.” Without noticing, at the center of this picture lies the illusion of Self once again.

In this talk, I will focus on how to recognize the three poisons, how not to be controlled by them, and how to practice our way out of their grip. Through awareness and steady practice, the poisons lose their power, and our true nature—beyond craving, aversion, and ignorance—can be realized.

About the Presenter: Venerable Won Bo started practicing in 1997 at the Vilnius Zen Center in Lithuania then moved to Korea and joined Hwa Gye Sa temple in 2000, becoming a novice nun in 2002. Venerable Bo Wo attended a traditional Korean Sutra school from 2003 to 2007 and was fully ordained in the Jogye Order in 2007. They participated in Kyolches (90-day retreats) in traditional Korean Zen halls and international Zen temples, and completed three years of kido (chanting practice) at Poep Ryon Sa temple. Currently, Venerable Won Bo is living and practicing at Poep Ryon Sa temple in Korea.

Hybrid event: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session in person at the Metta Centre or online by clicking on this link to access the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506489824?pwd=cmpNQ1ljSmFVYURLWVN1dWllYUN1dz09 Alternatively, you can dial in from your telephone (call charges apply): +61 2 8015 6011 | Meeting ID: 835 0648 9824| Passcode: 718905

If you are feeling unwell, please consider staying at home and joining online instead.

Also check out other Meetups in Bankstown.