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Grammatical Analysis
Kammapaccaya: [m.] Kamma condition; Action condition. Formed by kamma (volitional action) + paccaya (condition).
Orthodox Definition
Kamma-paccaya is the thirteenth of the 24 Conditions. It explains how volition (cetanā) exerts its organizing and generative power over reality.
This condition operates in two distinct temporal ways:
- Conascent Kamma Condition (Sahajāta-kamma): At any given moment, the mental factor of volition (cetanā) acts like a chief foreman, directing and coordinating all the other mental factors arising simultaneously with it to accomplish a task.
- Asynchronous Kamma Condition (Nānakkhaṇika-kamma): This is the classic understanding of karma. A powerful volition occurs and immediately ceases, depositing a capability for future results within the continuity of existence. Lifetimes later, that past, ceased volition acts as the condition for a completely new resultant consciousness (vipāka) and physical body to arise.
The sub-commentaries illustrate the asynchronous kamma condition using the precise biological analogy of depositing a fruit seed, such as a mango seed. The actual act of depositing the seed is performed and concluded in a single moment, and it does not instantly perform the full function of a tree. Instead, having reached a fully matured state (pariṇatabhāvaṃ patvā) after an interval of time, it eventually brings about its specific fruit in a completely different, later moment.
Quote
yasmā attano pavattākārasaṅkhātassa vipākabījassa nidahanaṃnāma, na tāvadeva bījakiccaṃ sampādeti.
Since the depositing of the seed of Vipāka, which is its mode of activity, does not immediately complete the function of a seed,ambabījādīni viya pariṇatabhāvaṃ patvā khaṇantareeva sampādetīti vuttaṃ nānākkhaṇikā cetanātiādi.
but, like seeds of mangoes, etc., completes it after reaching a mature state, in a later moment, it is stated “nānākkhaṇikā cetanā” (volition of different moments) and so on.tattha nānākkhaṇikācetanāti attano paccayuppannadhamma pavattikkhaṇato visuṃ bhūte atītakāle siddhā kusalā kusalacetanā.
Here, “nānākkhaṇikā cetanā” refers to wholesome and unwholesome volition that arose in a past time, separate from the moment of activity of its conditioned phenomena.kusalākusalacetanātivā pāṭho siyā.
The reading might also be “kusalākusalacetanāti” (wholesome and unwholesome volition).— Paramatthadīpanī (Paṭṭhānatthadīpanī)
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Paṭṭhāna – “Volition is related to the phenomena associated with volition, and to the material phenomena produced thereby, by kamma condition.”
- Sub-commentary: Paramatthadīpanī – Utilizing the specific natural simile of the mango seed (ambabīja) to define how asynchronous volition (nānakkhaṇika-cetanā) remains separated from its eventual resultant state until it reaches full maturation.