[931] Therein, which are the three taints (āsava)? The taint of sensuality (kāmāsava), the taint of existence (bhavāsava), the taint of ignorance (avijjāsava).
Therein, which is the taint of sensuality? Whatever sensual desire (kāmacchanda) there is regarding sensual pleasures … cleaving to sensual pleasures (kāmajjhosāna) — this is called the taint of sensuality.
Therein, which is the taint of existence? Whatever desire for existence (bhavacchanda) there is regarding existences … cleaving to existence — this is called the taint of existence.
Therein, which is the taint of ignorance? Lack of knowledge (aññāṇa) regarding suffering (dukkha) … the bolt of ignorance (avijjālaṅgī), delusion (moha), the unwholesome root (akusalamūla) — this is called the taint of ignorance.
These are the three taints.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.