Akusala

Akusala is a term in Buddhist ethics and psychology referring to unwholesome or unskillful mental states, intentions, and actions. Derived from Sanskrit and Pali, akusala literally means “not good.” It is contrasted with kusala, meaning wholesome or skillful. In early Buddhist literature, akusala covers both unwholesome mental states (akusala citta) and unwholesome actions (akusala kamma) formed with unwholesome intention (akusala cetana). The three root defilements—greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha)—are commonly cited as primary akusala, though many other unwholesome mental factors, such as wrong views, jealousy, arrogance, restlessness, and ill will, are encompassed within the broader framework.

Akusala citta is said to condition suffering and rebirth, whereas wholesome states (kusala) are conducive to liberation. Buddhist practice aims to reduce and abandon akusala through ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, thereby cultivating kusala such as generosity (dana), loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), and right understanding. Karmic consequences are expressed in terms of intentional actions and their resulting mental states; unwholesome actions are said to bind beings to samsara, while wholesome actions lead toward liberation.

Different Buddhist traditions vary in their enumerations of akusala, but the core distinction remains between mental states and actions that promote suffering and unwholesomeness versus those that promote wellbeing and liberation.