Anger

The word anger translates several different terms from Buddhist canonical languages. Generally speaking, Buddhist scholars identify a variety of different anger-related mental states. For example, the Tibetan tradition identifies three levels or types of anger:

• a generalized anger or aversion with regard to other beings or unpleasant circumstances or conditions
• anger or irritation that is directed primarly towards other beings
• hostility, rage, etc. that includes the opportunity and the intention to cause harm

Some terms that are commonly translated as anger are:

1. dvesha (Sanskrit, also dveṣa; Pali: dosa; Tibetan: zhe sdang)
   • one of the three poisons/three unwholesome roots
   • Translated as: "aversion," "aggression," "anger," etc.
2. pratigha (Sanskrit; Pali: paṭigha; Tibetan: khong khro)
   • one of the six root unwholesome mental factors within the Sanskrit Abhidharma tradition
   • one of the ten fetters (saṃyojana) according to the Dhammasangani of the Pali tradition
   • Translated as: "anger," "ill-will," "animosity," etc.
3. krodha (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khro ba)
   • one of the twenty subsidiary unwholesome mental factors within the Sanskrit tradition
   • Translated as: "fury", "rage", "indignation," etc.