Overview

Volition (Cetanā) is the primary engine of Kamma. It is the active, intentional response of the mind toward an object. Representing the Aggregate of Formations (Saṅkhārakkhandha), volition is triggered by sensory experience, leading the being to act (wholesomely or unwholesomely) toward the six fields of objects.

The List

  1. Rūpasañcetanā - Volition regarding forms: The intentional mental action directed toward visual objects.
  2. Saddasañcetanā - Volition regarding sounds: The intentional mental action directed toward auditory objects.
  3. Gandhasañcetanā - Volition regarding odors: The intentional mental action directed toward smells.
  4. Rasasañcetanā - Volition regarding tastes: The intentional mental action directed toward flavors.
  5. Phoṭṭhabbasañcetanā - Volition regarding tangibles: The intentional mental action directed toward physical sensations.
  6. Dhammasañcetanā - Volition regarding mental objects: The intentional mental action directed toward ideas and thoughts.

Textual References

  • Canonical: Upādānaparipatta Sutta (SN 22.56) – The Buddha explicitly defines the aggregate of volitional formations (saṅkhāra) as these six classes of volition.

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