3 personality types

Monday will see the first presidential debate between Clinton and Trump which is worth watching. A column in the ST last week highlighted some unforgettable moments in past presidential debates. Bush was caught checking his watch when someone asked him a question thus making him seem unengaged. Ford was remembered for declaring there wasn't any Soviet domination of Eastern Europe despite the fact that there was. Gore was caught sighing loudly when his opponent was talking reflecting his condescending nature.

When reading the column I began to relate the above situations to the 3 poisons taught in Buddhism, craving, delusion and aversion. Bush was too attached to his own time and space . Ford was deluded and Gore was averse to his opponent's views in a stand-offish manner.

Indeed in Buddhist psychology 3 personality types are mentioned. The greedy type, the aversive type and the deluded type. Those with greed temperament are constantly clinging on to comfort and pleasure. The aversive type like to judge and reject and are easily annoyed. The deluded type often appear confused and uncertain. Every person has all these temperament in varying degree but usually one dominates.

A quiz I came across help people discover which temperamental type they belong to. One question asks what people notice when visiting a friend's home for the first time. The greedy type will notice some pieces of furniture or appliances they will love to have. The aversive type will notice how cluttered the house is or how the house would look better if certain things are disposed or rearranged. The deluded type will leave without remembering anything about the house.

Another interesting quiz question is how a person behaved in school, always chatting with friends, always correcting the teacher or always doodling and dreaming. Yet another questions asks how a person feels towards shopping, a sport, a necessary evil or a confusion (with so many brands to choose from).

The whole idea is not to bash oneself for being either greedy, angry or stupid. The main point is to be aware whenever we are in these states; because the 3 poisons bring us misery and 烦恼.

Coming back to the past presidential debates the most defining moment was when Reagan then 73 was asked whether he could continue effectively.  He replied "I will not make age an issue of this campaign, I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience".

To me that was a classic reply. He didn't argue that 73 is still youthful (ie. non clinging). He didn't brand his questioner an ageist (ie. non judgemental). He was not unsure of his effectiveness despite his age. (no muddle mindedness).