cetanā

state of ceto in action, thinking as active thought, intention, purpose, will Defined as action (kamma: AN.iii.415; cp. Kvu.viii.9 § 38 untraced quotation; cp. AN.v.292). Often combined w. patthanā & paṇidhi (wish & aspiration), e.g. SN.ii.99 SN.ii.154; AN.i.32, AN.i.224; AN.v.212; Cnd.112 (in def. of asucimanussā people of ignoble action: asuciyā cetanāya patthanāya, paṇidhinā samannāgatā). Also classed with these in a larger group in KV., e.g. Kv.343, Kv.380 combined w. vedanā saññā c. citta phassa manasikāra in def. of nāmakāya (opp. rūpakāya) SN.ii.3 (without citta), Pts.i.183 (do.); Ne.77, Ne.78
■ enumerated under the four blessings of vatthu, paccaya, c., guṇātireka (-sampadā) & def. as “cetanāya somanassa-sahagatañāṇa-sampayutta-bhāvo” at Dhp-a.iii.94. Cetanā is opposed to cetasika (i.e. ceto) in its determination of the 7 items of good conduct (see sīla) which refers to actions of the body (or are wilful, called cetanākamma Ne.43, Ne.96; otherwise distinguished as kāya- & vacīkammantā AN.v.292 sq.), whereas the 3 last items (sīla 8–⁠10) refer to the behaviour of the mind (cetasikakamma Nett., mano-kammanta A), viz. the shrinking back from covetousness, malice, & wrong views.; Vin.iii.112; SN.iii.60; AN.ii.232 (kaṇhassa kammassa pahānāya cetanā: intention to give up wrong-doing) Vv-a.72 (vadhaka-cetanā wilful murder); maraṇacetanā intention of death Dhp-a.i.20; āhār’ āsā cetanā intention consisting in deśire for food Vism.537. Pv-a.8, Pv-a.30 (pariccāga˚ intention to give); Pp.12; Mil.94; Sdhp.52, Sdhp.72
■ In scholastic lgg. often explained as cetanā sañcetanā sañcetayitatta (viz. state or behaviour of volition) Dhs.5; Vb.285
■ Cp. Dhs.58 (+ citta); Vb.401 (id.); Vb.40, Vb.403; Vism.463 (cetayatī ti cetanā; abhisandahatī ti attho).

f. abstr. fr. cet, see cinteti