Description

The terms Kusala and Akusala are central concepts in Buddhist ethics, particularly concerning the mind, actions, and their consequences (Karma).

They are often translated as:

Term
Common Translations
Basic Meaning

Kusala
Wholesome, Skillful, Good, Virtuous, Beneficial
Wholesome states of mind and actions that lead to happiness, spiritual progress, and favorable results.

Akusala
Unwholesome, Unskillful, Bad, Non-virtuous, Harmful
Unwholesome states of mind and actions that lead to suffering, mental defilement, and unfavorable results.

Kusala Mind (Wholesome)

A Kusala mind, or Kusala Citta, is a state of consciousness that is morally good, healthy, and conducive to well-being and liberation (Nibbana).

• Characteristics: It is clean, pure, intelligent, and free from moral corruption. It is the basis for skillful actions (of body, speech, and mind).
• Rooted in: The Three Wholesome Roots (or roots of the skillful mind):
  • Non-Greed (Alobha) - Manifests as generosity, detachment.
  • Non-Hatred (Adosa) - Manifests as loving-kindness (Metta), compassion (Karuna).
  • Non-Delusion (Amoha) - Manifests as wisdom, clarity, and understanding.
• Result (Karma): Actions motivated by a Kusala mind lead to positive, pleasant, and beneficial outcomes, both in this life and future rebirths.

An Akusala mind, or Akusala Citta, is a state of consciousness that is morally unskillful, unhealthy, and conducive to suffering (Dukkha) and spiritual regression.

• Characteristics: It is stained, impure, and prevents one from seeing things clearly. It is the basis for unskillful actions.
• Rooted in: The Three Unwholesome Roots (or roots of the unskillful mind):
  • Greed (Lobha) - Attachment, craving, desire.
  • Hatred (Dosa) - Aversion, ill-will, anger.
  • Delusion/Ignorance (Moha/Avijja) - Not understanding the true nature of reality (e.g., the Four Noble Truths).
• Result (Karma): Actions motivated by an Akusala mind lead to negative, painful, and harmful outcomes.

The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice is to abandon Akusala and cultivate Kusala states of mind, ultimately leading to the complete elimination of both the roots of the skillful and unskillful mind to attain the unconditioned state of Nibbana.