Intention as Kamma (Cetanā)
Many people talk about karma like fate. The suttas define it more sharply.
Define kamma the way the texts do, distinguish intention (cetanā) from outcome, and use this to build clean daily practice.
Core Teachings
Key concepts with source texts
The key move: kamma is defined by intention. This reframes practice: - You may not control outcomes, but you can train intention. - Your mind becomes your primary causal field.
This aligns with Dependent Origination: you train the conditions you can touch.
From the Source Texts
""It is intention, monks, that I call kamma. Having intended, one acts by body, speech, or mind.""
Commentary
This line is the anchor. It stops superstition and forces responsibility at the level of mind.
Before speaking today, pause 2 seconds and label the intention: kindness, status-seeking, irritation, avoidance, honesty, fear. Train at the intention-level.
Study Materials
Primary sources with guided reading
AN 6.63 — Nibbedhika (Kamma defined by intention)
Read for definition. Don’t drift into folk karma.
Additional Resources
Use as a secondary text to understand how actions are discussed in relation to results—without turning it into deterministic fate.
Write your thoughts before revealing answers
Consider these points:
- •How does this change how you relate to ‘success’ and ‘failure’?
- •What kinds of intention produce immediate suffering in you?
- •What kinds of intention reduce suffering immediately?
Your Thoughts
Writing your thoughts first will deepen your understanding
Bridge notes help connect the resources and show how they relate to the learning outcome.
AI-generated notes synthesize the lesson outcome and resource summaries. Human-reviewed before publishing.
In AN 6.63, kamma is primarily defined as: