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:

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:
  1. Cetanā occurring in visual situations
  2. Cetanā occurring in auditory situations
  3. Cetanā occurring in olfactory situations
  4. Cetanā occurring in gustatory situations
  5. Cetanā occurring in tactile situations
  6. Cetanā occurring in thought situations

    Relation to karma

In the Buddhist tradition, cetana is considered the most important mental factor in the generation of karma.
Bhikkhu Bodhi states :
Alexander Berzin explains :

Alternate translations