Self-clinging is the source of all our problems. It is the basic ignorance from which all the disturbing emotions start. If there is a self, then there are others, and if there is a self and others, there is attachment to the self and anger towards others. This situation creates the basic three disturbing emotions, which are desire, anger, and ignorance. From these three arise others, such as jealousy, pride, miserliness, etc. Once these disturbing emotions are present, they soon develop into physical, verbal and mental actions. When we perform such actions, it is like planting a seed which leads to the growth of suffering.

— HH Sakya Trizin