Factor 10 - Macchariya (jealousy, selfishness)

Jealousy or selfishness, an unwholesome metal factor, is called macchariya. Nowadays some persons are reluctant to give to others or to practise dana. This is mistaken to be macchariya. But actually macchariya means wishing other persons to get nothing. Those with macchariya are jealous of others. They do not want to see others acquiring wealth. Stinginess is just attachment to money and property, and is merely lobha (greed). In the case of macchariya it means a jealous outlook, not wanting others having promotion, money, fame, beauty, etc. In the Pitaka mention is made of five kinds of macchariya:

1. Avasa-macchariya: Macchariya concerning houses, dwellings, monasteries, schools, beds, etc. In the case of monks, some do not want visiting monks to reside in the monasteries they came to possess. But preventing bad monks entering their places does not amount to macchariya. The act of selfishly preventing others from getting something is macchariya. Those monks who have avasa-macchariya will be reborn in their very abode as a peta (hungry ghost) or reborn in niraya (hell).

2. Kula-macchariya: Macchariya as regards donors and relatives, etc. Some monks do not want to let their regular donors to support other monks except themselves. But to prevent evil monks making acquaintance with one’s friends and relatives is not kula-maccharzya. because evil monks can contaminate their faith and morals. Kula-macchariya, jealousy, burns the viscera when one sees one’s relatives in the company of other people, causing internal haemorrhage and diarrhoea. Or such a person will be in impecunious circumstances in the next existence.

3. Labha-macchariya: Macchariya based on material gain. There are people who do not want anyone to prosper except themselves. Such ill will is labha macchariya. But to prevent bad monks from getting requisites which they will put to improper use and to wish good monks to receive them are not labha macchariya. Those who have labha-macchariya will be reborn in filthy hell and will have to eat filth.

4. Vanna-macchariya: Macchariya based on beauty or fame. A person who has this form of jealousy does not want others to be more beautiful or more famous than himself or herself. Such a person becomes an ugly person in forthcoming existences in samsara. He also will be denied of fame.

5. Dhamma-macchariya: Macchariya based on learning, education, or knowledge. Thus a person who will not impart knowledge or information to others is guilty of dhamma-macchariya. Such people fear that others may excel them in learning and refuse to answer questions. They do not teach others willingly. But to deny teaching malicious persons who will misuse knowledge does not amount to dhamma-macchariya because such persons will ruin the Buddha’s Teaching. He who feels dhamma-macchariya will be reborn a dumb person or an idiot. After he dies he will suffer in the hell of burning ash.

Points To Be Considered

Regarding the five kinds of macchariya, considerations should be made as to who will be most exposed to these evil attitudes. Most probably monks and nuns who depend on alms for their sustenance are most liable to accommodate these evil traits. In the case of lay people too, macchariya arises when they do not wish others to acquire better house or land, when they wish to be more wealthy and beautiful, to excel others in power, status, knowledge, wisdom, and so forth. Such jealousy is called macchariya. But the sufferer with regard to macchariya is the jealous person and not the victim. Such persons expose themselves as possessing a foul mind. When they die they are reborn as petas (hungry ghosts). Therefore, everyone should totally and completely annihilate macchariya so as not to fall into woeful abodes.