Cetanā
Cetanā is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "volition", "intention", "directionality", etc. It can be defined as a mental factor that moves or urges the mind in a particular direction, toward a specific object or goal. Cetanā is identified within the Buddhist teachings as follows:
- One of the seven universal mental factors in the Theravada Abhidharma.
- One of the Ten mahā-bhūmika in Sarvastivada Abhidharma.
- One of the five universal mental factors in the Mahayana Abhidharma
- The most significant mental factor involved in the creation of karma.
Definitions
Theravada
states:The Atthasālinī states that cetanā has the characteristic of coordinating the associated dhammas on the object and that its function is 'willing'. We read:
Mahayana
Geshe Tashi Tsering states:The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:
Herbert Guenther explains:
Alexander Berzin states:
Mipham Rinpoche states:
Cetanā operates with six supports, or along six channels:
- Cetanā occurring in visual situations
- Cetanā occurring in auditory situations
- Cetanā occurring in olfactory situations
- Cetanā occurring in gustatory situations
- Cetanā occurring in tactile situations
- Cetanā occurring in thought situations
Relation to karma
Bhikkhu Bodhi states :
Alexander Berzin explains :
Alternate translations
- Attraction
- Directionality of mind
- Urge
- Volition