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an.10.218 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Volitional (2)

“Bhikkhus, I do not say that there is a termination of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated so long as one has not experienced its results, and that may be in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion. But I do not say that there is making an end of suffering so long as one has not experienced the results of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated.

“As to this, bhikkhus, there is a threefold corruption and failure of bodily kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition, having a painful outcome and result; a fourfold corruption and failure of verbal kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition, having a painful outcome and result; and a threefold corruption and failure of mental kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition, having a painful outcome and result.

(1)–(10) “And how, bhikkhus, is there a threefold corruption and failure of bodily kamma … a fourfold corruption and failure of verbal kamma … … a threefold corruption and failure of mental kamma? … all as in 10:217 … having a painful outcome and result.

“It is, bhikkhus, because of the threefold corruption and failure of bodily kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition … or it is because of the fourfold corruption and failure of verbal kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition … or it is because of the threefold corruption and failure of mental kamma, arisen from unwholesome volition, that with the breakup of the body, after death, beings are reborn in the plane of misery, in a bad destination, in the lower world, in hell.

“Bhikkhus, I do not say that there is a termination of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated so long as one has not experienced its results, and that may be in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion. But I do not say that there is making an end of suffering so long as one has not experienced the results of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated.

“As to this, bhikkhus, there is a threefold success of bodily kamma, arisen from wholesome volition, having a pleasant outcome and result. There is a fourfold success of verbal kamma, arisen from wholesome volition, having a pleasant outcome and result. There is a threefold success of mental kamma, arisen from wholesome volition, having a pleasant outcome and result.

(1)–(10) “And how, bhikkhus, is there a threefold success of bodily kamma … a fourfold success of verbal kamma … … a threefold success of mental kamma? … all as in 10:217 … having a painful outcome and result.

“It is, bhikkhus, because of the threefold success of bodily kamma … or it is because of the fourfold success of verbal kamma … or it is because of the threefold success of mental kamma, arisen from wholesome volition, that with the breakup of the body, after death, beings are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world.

“Bhikkhus, I do not say that there is a termination of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated so long as one has not experienced its results, and that may be in this very life, or in the next rebirth, or on some subsequent occasion. But I do not say that there is making an end of suffering so long as one has not experienced the results of volitional kamma that has been done and accumulated.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Intentional (2nd)

“Mendicants, I don’t say that intentional deeds that have been performed and accumulated are eliminated without being experienced.
And that may be in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
And I don’t say that suffering is ended without experiencing intentional deeds that have been performed and accumulated.
Now, there are three kinds of corruption and failure of bodily action that have unskillful intention, with suffering as their outcome and result.
There are four kinds of corruption and failure of verbal action that have unskillful intention, with suffering as their outcome and result.
There are three kinds of corruption and failure of mental action that have unskillful intention, with suffering as their outcome and result.
And what are the three kinds of corruption and failure of bodily action? …
These are the three kinds of corruption and failure of bodily action.
And what are the four kinds of corruption and failure of verbal action? …
These are the four kinds of corruption and failure of verbal action.
And what are the three kinds of corruption and failure of mental action? …
These are the three kinds of corruption and failure of mental action.
When their body breaks up, after death, sentient beings are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell because of these three kinds of corruption and failure of bodily action, these four kinds of corruption and failure of verbal action, or these three kinds of corruption and failure of mental action that have unskillful intention, with suffering as their outcome and result.
I don’t say that intentional deeds that have been performed and accumulated are eliminated without being experienced.
And that may be in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.
And I don’t say that suffering is ended without experiencing intentional deeds that have been performed and accumulated.
Now, there are three kinds of successful bodily action that have skillful intention, with happiness as their outcome and result.
There are four kinds of successful verbal action that have skillful intention, with happiness as their outcome and result.
There are three kinds of successful mental action that have skillful intention, with happiness as their outcome and result.
And what are the three kinds of successful bodily action? …
These are the three kinds of successful bodily action.
And what are the four kinds of successful verbal action? …
These are the four kinds of successful verbal action.
And what are the three kinds of successful mental action? …
These are the three kinds of successful mental action.
When their body breaks up, after death, sentient beings are reborn in a good place, in heaven because of these three kinds of successful bodily action, these four kinds of successful verbal action, or these three kinds of successful mental action that have skillful intention, with happiness as their outcome and result. …”