Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Adosa: [m.] Non-hatred; non-aversion; goodwill. Formed by negative prefix a (not) + dosa (hatred, anger, aversion).
Orthodox Definition
Adosa is the second Wholesome Root (kusala-mūla). Like non-greed, it is a negative term masking a profoundly positive mental factor.
In Theravāda psychology, Adosa is functionally identical to Mettā (loving-kindness). It is the mental quality that opposes violence, irritation, depression, and malice. While hatred (dosa) burns its own foundation and desires to destroy objects, adosa is characterized by a soothing, cooling quality that desires the welfare and happiness of others.
The Visuddhimagga notes that when adosa is highly developed, it serves as the absolute psychological foundation for the Brahmavihāras (the divine abodes), transforming the mind into a boundless, peaceful sanctuary.
Quote
AN 3.69
yadapi, bhikkhave, adoso tadapi kusalamūlaṃ; yadapi aduṭṭho abhisaṅkharoti kāyena vācāya manasā tadapi kusalaṃ; yadapi aduṭṭho dosena anabhibhūto apariyādinnacitto na parassa asatā dukkhaṃ uppādayati vadhena vā bandhanena vā jāniyā vā garahāya vā pabbājanāya vā balavamhi balattho itipi tadapi kusalaṃ.
“Whatever, monks, is non-hatred, that is a root of wholesome states; whatever one performs by body, speech, or mind, being unhateful, that is wholesome; whatever one does not inflict suffering on another through killing, or binding, or loss, or blame, or banishment, being unhateful, not overcome by hatred, with an unoverwhelmed mind, (thinking) ‘I am powerful, I am strong’, that too is wholesome.itissame adosajā adosanidānā adosasamudayā adosapaccayā aneke kusalā dhammā sambhavanti.
Thus, many wholesome states arise from non-hatred, having non-hatred as their source, their origin, their condition.
Textual References
- Sutta: Mūla Sutta (AN 3.69) – The Buddha explains that actions born of non-hatred do not bind a person to saṃsāra.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī – Defining non-hatred as absence of malice, gentleness, and amiability.
- Commentary: Atthasālinī – Comparing non-hatred to an agreeable friend who soothes the mind and never provokes conflict.