Who Is The Real Enemy Of Mankind

When this question is posed, some may answer “Those I hate, those who don’t like me, those who said something bad about me”, and so on. It can be said that this answer is worldly, and what is the non-worldly answer? I would refer to the Buddha’s words in Itivuttaka, when he said, “Monks, the real enemies of mankind are within; they are greed, hatred and delusion and they are pitiless killers”.

It is true, though, as we can see, that our life is burned by greed, hatred and delusion when we fall under their power. To fall under their power causes problems so we must find the way not to fall, or to escape from their power. The Buddha advised his disciples that they had to be aware of them and get rid of them. There is no other protector except the five energies. What are the five? “They are confidence, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom”, said the Buddha.

When we know that, we must cultivate the five, and develop them, so that we do not fall under greed, hatred and delusion. Without greed, hatred and delusion, life is pure and peaceful. Build your protectors now, you will be well protected, and then you will find peace and happiness.