The Buddha teaches the three sources that give rise to deeds—greed, hate, and delusion—and how they shape action and its results.

AN 3.34 Sources

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya. Katamāni tīṇi? Lobho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, doso nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, moho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, lobhapakataṁ kammaṁ lobhajaṁ lobhanidānaṁ lobhasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati. Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, dosapakataṁ kammaṁ dosajaṁ dosanidānaṁ dosasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati. Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, mohapakataṁ kammaṁ mohajaṁ mohanidānaṁ mohasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati. Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bījāni akhaṇḍāni apūtīni avātātapahatāni sārādāni sukhasayitāni sukhette suparikammakatāya bhūmiyā nikkhittāni. Devo ca sammādhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evassu tāni, bhikkhave, bījāni vuddhiṁ viruḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjeyyuṁ.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ lobhapakataṁ kammaṁ lobhajaṁ lobhanidānaṁ lobhasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati. Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

Yaṁ dosapakataṁ kammaṁ …pe…

yaṁ mohapakataṁ kammaṁ mohajaṁ mohanidānaṁ mohasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati. Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya. Katamāni tīṇi? Alobho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, adoso nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, amoho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, alobhapakataṁ kammaṁ alobhajaṁ alobhanidānaṁ alobhasamudayaṁ, lobhe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, adosapakataṁ kammaṁ adosajaṁ adosanidānaṁ adosasamudayaṁ, dose vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, amohapakataṁ kammaṁ amohajaṁ amohanidānaṁ amohasamudayaṁ, mohe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bījāni akhaṇḍāni apūtīni avātātapahatāni sārādāni sukhasayitāni. Tāni puriso agginā ḍaheyya. Agginā ḍahitvā masiṁ kareyya. Masiṁ karitvā mahāvāte ophuṇeyya nadiyā sīghasotāya pavāheyya. Evassu tāni, bhikkhave, bījāni ucchinnamūlāni tālāvatthukatāni anabhāvaṅkatāni āyatiṁ anuppādadhammāni.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ alobhapakataṁ kammaṁ alobhajaṁ alobhanidānaṁ alobhasamudayaṁ, lobhe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Yaṁ adosapakataṁ kammaṁ …pe… yaṁ amohapakataṁ kammaṁ amohajaṁ amohanidānaṁ amohasamudayaṁ, mohe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti …pe… āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāyāti.

Lobhajaṁ dosajañceva,
mohajañcāpaviddasu;
Yaṁ tena pakataṁ kammaṁ,
appaṁ yadi bahuṁ;
Idheva taṁ vedaniyaṁ,
vatthu aññaṁ na vijjati.

Tasmā lobhañca dosañca,
mohajañcāpi viddasu;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

Catutthaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya.

“Mendicants, there are these three sources that give rise to deeds.

Katamāni tīṇi?

What three?

Lobho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, doso nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, moho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Greed, hate, and delusion are sources that give rise to deeds.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, lobhapakataṁ kammaṁ lobhajaṁ lobhanidānaṁ lobhasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati.

Any deed that emerges from greed—born, sourced, and originated from greed—ripens where that new incarnation is born.

Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, dosapakataṁ kammaṁ dosajaṁ dosanidānaṁ dosasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati.

Any deed that emerges from hate—born, sourced, and originated from hate—ripens where that new incarnation is born.

Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, mohapakataṁ kammaṁ mohajaṁ mohanidānaṁ mohasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati.

Any deed that emerges from delusion—born, sourced, and originated from delusion—ripens where that new incarnation is born.

Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bījāni akhaṇḍāni apūtīni avātātapahatāni sārādāni sukhasayitāni sukhette suparikammakatāya bhūmiyā nikkhittāni.

Suppose some seeds were intact, unspoiled, not weather-damaged, fertile, and well-kept. They’re sown in a well-prepared, productive field,

Devo ca sammādhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya.

and the heavens provide plenty of rain.

Evassu tāni, bhikkhave, bījāni vuddhiṁ viruḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjeyyuṁ.

Then those seeds would grow, increase, and mature.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ lobhapakataṁ kammaṁ lobhajaṁ lobhanidānaṁ lobhasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati.

In the same way, any deed that emerges from greed—born, sourced, and originated from greed—ripens where that new incarnation is born.

Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.

Yaṁ dosapakataṁ kammaṁ …pe…

Any deed that emerges from hate …

yaṁ mohapakataṁ kammaṁ mohajaṁ mohanidānaṁ mohasamudayaṁ, yatthassa attabhāvo nibbattati tattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati.

Any deed that emerges from delusion—born, sourced, and originated from delusion—ripens where that new incarnation is born.

Yattha taṁ kammaṁ vipaccati tattha tassa kammassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti, diṭṭhe dhamme upapajja apare pariyāye.

And wherever that deed ripens, its result is experienced—either in the present life, or in the next life, or in some subsequent period.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya.

These are three sources that give rise to deeds.

Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Mendicants, there are these three sources that give rise to deeds.

Katamāni tīṇi?

What three?

Alobho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, adoso nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya, amoho nidānaṁ kammānaṁ samudayāya.

Contentment, love, and understanding are sources that give rise to deeds.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, alobhapakataṁ kammaṁ alobhajaṁ alobhanidānaṁ alobhasamudayaṁ, lobhe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Any deed that emerges from contentment—born, sourced, and originated from contentment—is given up when greed is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, adosapakataṁ kammaṁ adosajaṁ adosanidānaṁ adosasamudayaṁ, dose vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Any deed that emerges from love—born, sourced, and originated from love—is abandoned when hate is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, amohapakataṁ kammaṁ amohajaṁ amohanidānaṁ amohasamudayaṁ, mohe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

Any deed that emerges from understanding—born, sourced, and originated from understanding—is abandoned when delusion is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bījāni akhaṇḍāni apūtīni avātātapahatāni sārādāni sukhasayitāni.

Suppose some seeds were intact, unspoiled, not damaged by wind and sun, fertile, and well-kept.

Tāni puriso agginā ḍaheyya.

But someone would burn them with fire,

Agginā ḍahitvā masiṁ kareyya.

reduce them to ashes,

Masiṁ karitvā mahāvāte ophuṇeyya nadiyā sīghasotāya pavāheyya.

and whisk away the ashes in a strong wind, or glide them down a swift stream.

Evassu tāni, bhikkhave, bījāni ucchinnamūlāni tālāvatthukatāni anabhāvaṅkatāni āyatiṁ anuppādadhammāni.

Then those seeds would be cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ alobhapakataṁ kammaṁ alobhajaṁ alobhanidānaṁ alobhasamudayaṁ, lobhe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti ucchinnamūlaṁ tālāvatthukataṁ anabhāvaṅkataṁ āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

In the same way, any deed that emerges from contentment—born, sourced, and originated from contentment—is abandoned when greed is done away with. It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Yaṁ adosapakataṁ kammaṁ …pe…

Any deed that emerges from love …

yaṁ amohapakataṁ kammaṁ amohajaṁ amohanidānaṁ amohasamudayaṁ, mohe vigate evaṁ taṁ kammaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti …pe…

Any deed that emerges from understanding—born, sourced, and originated from understanding—is abandoned when delusion is done away with.

āyatiṁ anuppādadhammaṁ.

It’s cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi nidānāni kammānaṁ samudayāyāti.

These are three sources that give rise to deeds.

Lobhajaṁ dosajañceva,

When an ignorant person acts

mohajañcāpaviddasu;

out of greed, hate, or delusion,

Yaṁ tena pakataṁ kammaṁ,

any deeds they have done,

appaṁ yadi bahuṁ;

a little or a lot,

Idheva taṁ vedaniyaṁ,

are to be experienced right here,

vatthu aññaṁ na vijjati.

not in any other place.

Tasmā lobhañca dosañca,

So a wise person,

mohajañcāpi viddasu;

a mendicant arousing knowledge

Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,

of the outcome of greed, hate, and delusion,

sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

would abandon all bad destinies.”

Catutthaṁ.

Qualities:

Affection

Affection

A mental quality of tender affection and fond regard, often wholesome when rooted in kindness, which inclines the mind toward warmth and care. When unguarded, it may turn toward fixation upon what is 'dear,' leading the mind to attachment and the grief that follows separation from what has been clung to as 'dear'.

Also known as: fondness, love, tender regard
Pāli: pema
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Aversion

Aversion

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
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Delusion

Delusion

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Last updated on July 27, 2026