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Grammatical Analysis
Cetanā: [f.] volition; intention; will; choice. From root cit (to think, cognize, intentionally focus). Signifies the active mental factor that coordinates, drives, and shapes experience.
Orthodox Definition
In Theravāda Abhidhamma, cetanā is classified as one of the seven universal mental factors (sabbacittasādhāraṇa-cetasika), meaning it arises in every single flash of consciousness without exception.
Its specific characteristic is the exertion of willpower (cetayita-lakkhaṇa). Its primary psychological function is to marshal, coordinate, and urge the accompanying mental factors toward their respective target objects, acting like a chief agricultural supervisor organizing laborers to harvest a field.
Crucially, cetanā is the absolute operational engine of Kamma. As the Buddha stated in the Aṅguttara Nikāya: “Cetanāhaṃ, bhikkhave, kammaṃ vadāmi” (Intention, monks, is what I call kamma). The ethical quality of the cetanā (whether rooted in greed/hatred or non-greed/non-hatred) imprints a corresponding karmic potential upon the mental stream.
Quote
Kathaṃ? phasso vedanā saññā cetanā ekaggatā jīvitindriyaṃ manasikāro ceti sattime cetasikā sabbacittasādhāraṇā nāma.
“How? Contact, feeling, perception, volition, one-pointedness, life faculty, and attention—these seven mental factors are called common to all cittas.”— Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha (Chapter II)
Textual References
- Sutta: Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63) – The classic canonical source declaring intention to be the core definition of kamma.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Analysis of the first wholesome consciousness).
- Textual: Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha (Chapter II) – Classification of volition (cetanā) as one of the seven universal mental factors (sabbacittasādhāraṇa-cetasika).
- Commentary: Atthasālinī – Detailed technical breakdown of how volition acts as the architect of future rebirths.