The Causes of the Arising of Kleshas

When jealousy arises in oneself, turn the light inward and reflect: analyze and observe why jealousy has emerged. When arrogance arises, turn the light inward and reflect: why has such arrogance arisen? Once the cause is identified, one must use the principles learned to persuade and advise oneself, thereby subduing the mind of jealousy and arrogance. Before attaining fruition and the first dhyāna (meditative absorption), one can only subdue, not eradicate, afflictions like jealousy and arrogance. Generally, people experience jealousy because others have stolen their limelight, causing their own ego to not stand out, and preventing them from gaining the benefits they had hoped for. When the mind harbors notions of "self" and "others," it inevitably leads to comparisons, breeding a wish that no one surpasses or excels beyond oneself.

Due to jealousy, any community becomes fraught with strife and disputes, marked by mutual exclusion, suppression, competition for influence and resources, making conflict unavoidable. Within the community of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), if such jealousy is not subdued, it easily leads to schism within the monastic order. Should this result in the splitting of the Sangha, it constitutes the karma leading to the Avīci Hell.