Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Kamma: [nt.] action; deed; volitional activity. From root kar (to do, make, perform). Literally means “something done.”
Orthodox Definition
In the orthodox Theravāda framework, kamma refers specifically to volitional or intentional actions performed through body (kāya-kamma), speech (vacī-kamma), or mind (mano-kamma). Crucially, mechanical, involuntary, or purely accidental actions do not constitute kamma because they lack the definitive element of mental intention.
As the Buddha stated: “Cetanāhaṃ, bhikkhave, kammaṃ vadāmi” (Intention, O monks, is what I call kamma).
Kamma is strictly categorized by its ethical quality and its resultant potential:
- Kusala-kamma: Wholesome or skillful actions rooted in non-greed (alobha), non-hatred (adosa), and non-delusion (amoha).
- Akusala-kamma: Unwholesome or unskillful actions rooted in greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha).
Every intentional act deposits a seed of potential energy that, when conditions mature, inevitably produces its corresponding result (vipāka). It is the cosmic moral law operating without any divine arbiter or judge.
Quote
‘‘ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo yena manussānaṃyeva sataṃ manussabhūtānaṃ dissanti hīnappaṇītatā?
“What, good Gotama, is the reason, what is the cause, that among human beings themselves, born as humans, one observes inferiority and superiority?dissanti hi, bho gotama, manussā appāyukā, dissanti dīghāyukā; dissanti bavhābādhā , dissanti appābādhā; dissanti dubbaṇṇā, dissanti vaṇṇavanto; dissanti appesakkhā, dissanti mahesakkhā; dissanti appabhogā, dissanti mahābhogā; dissanti nīcakulīnā, dissanti uccākulīnā; dissanti duppaññā, dissanti paññavanto .
Indeed, good Gotama, one observes humans who are short-lived, one observes humans who are long-lived; one observes humans who are sickly, one observes humans who are healthy; one observes humans who are ill-favored, one observes humans who are good-looking; one observes humans who have little influence, one observes humans who have great influence; one observes humans who have little wealth, one observes humans who have great wealth; one observes humans who are of low birth, one observes humans who are of high birth; one observes humans who are foolish, one observes humans who are wise.ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo yena manussānaṃyeva sataṃ manussabhūtānaṃ dissanti hīnappaṇītatā’’ti?
What, good Gotama, is the reason, what is the cause, that among human beings themselves, born as humans, one observes inferiority and superiority?”— Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 135)
Textual References
- Sutta: Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 135) – Detailed explanation of how individual differences among human beings are caused by past kamma.
- Abhidhamma: Paṭṭhāna (Kamma-paccaya section) – Detailed analysis of how kamma condition interacts with mental states.
- Commentary: Atthasālinī (Exposition on volitional actions).