The Manifestation of the Afflictions of Sentient Beings

The affliction of evil (pāpa) is relatively coarse and heavy, manifesting rather obviously; it should not arise, which is why it is hard for both others and oneself to tolerate. Unwholesome (akuśala) afflictions are somewhat lighter; they arise frequently in everyone, and people have a certain degree of tolerance toward them. Sentient beings have much evil and unwholesome dharmas and few wholesome dharmas, so they all feel that the unwholesome is a normal phenomenon. Yet sentient beings do not know that all these phenomena everyone considers normal are in fact abnormal and should not arise. That people take the unwholesome as a normal phenomenon shows that all sentient beings possess unwholesome dharmas and that their minds are not pure. The more one can tolerate evil and unwholesome dharmas, the fewer wholesome dharmas one's mind possesses. The tolerance of sentient beings is utterly different from the tolerance of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: the tolerance of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is a manifestation of wisdom and compassion, whereas the tolerance of sentient beings is a manifestation of afflictions. When many people engage in unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions, and you point it out to them, they become displeased, their minds lacking shame and remorse.