The 9 Grounds for Malice / Resentment

Overview

The mind justifies anger by clinging to specific narratives. The Buddha observed that all feelings of malice, vengeance, and resentment boil down to nine basic mental stories involving past, present, and future timelines concerning oneself, one’s friends, and one’s enemies.

The List

1. “He has harmed me” (Past)
2. “He is harming me” (Present)
3. “He will harm me” (Future)
4. “He has harmed someone dear to me” (Past)
5. “He is harming someone dear to me” (Present)
6. “He will harm someone dear to me” (Future)
7. “He has helped someone I hate” (Past)
8. “He is helping someone I hate” (Present)
9. “He will help someone I hate” (Future)

Textual References

• Canonical: Āghātavatthu Sutta (AN 9.29) – The Buddha lists these nine grounds.
• Canonical: Āghātapaṭivinaya Sutta (AN 9.30) – Immediately follows, where the Buddha explains that the only logical response to all nine thoughts is: “What good would it do to get angry?” thereby subduing the malice.