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:
- Co-nascent 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, immediately ceases, but drops a seed into the mind-stream. Lifetimes later, that past, ceased volition acts as the condition for a completely new resultant consciousness (vipāka) and physical body to arise.
The commentaries compare the asynchronous kamma condition to a farmer planting a seed. The act of planting is done and finished, but the seed quietly waits for the right moisture and soil to produce a fruit later.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Paṭṭhāna – “Volition is related to the phenomena associated with volition, and to the material phenomena produced thereby, by kamma condition.”
- Commentary: Paṭṭhāna-aṭṭhakathā – Detailed differentiation between the immediate, synchronizing action of volition and its delayed, fruit-bearing action.