The four kinds of kamma in brief.

AN 4.232 Saṅkhitta sutta - Kamma in Brief

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, kammāni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditāni. Katamāni cattāri?

“|Bhikkhus,::::| having realized for myself with |direct knowledge::experiential realization [abhiññā]|, I have declared these four kinds of |kamma::actions, deeds, doings, volitional acts [kammā]|. What four?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhaṁ kaṇhavipākaṁ;
atthi, bhikkhave, kammaṁ sukkaṁ sukkavipākaṁ;
atthi, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhasukkaṁ kaṇhasukkavipākaṁ;
atthi, bhikkhave, kammaṁ akaṇhaasukkaṁ akaṇhaasukkavipākaṁ kammakkhayāya saṁvattati.

1.) There is|, bhikkhus,::::| dark kamma |with dark results::having negative consequences [kaṇhavipāka]|;
2.) There is|, bhikkhus,::::| bright kamma |with bright results::having positive consequences [sukkavipāka]|;
3.) There is|, bhikkhus,::::| dark and bright kamma |with dark and bright results::having both positive and negative consequences [kaṇhasukkavipāka]|;
4.) There is|, bhikkhus,::::| kamma that is neither dark nor bright, with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the |exhaustion of kamma::wearing away of actions [kammakkhaya]|.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri kammāni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditānī”ti.

These|, bhikkhus,::::| are the four kinds of kamma that I have declared, having realized them for myself with direct knowledge.”

Topics & Qualities:

Intentional Constructs

Intentional Constructs

Intentional constructs are intentions, volitions, and choices expressed through body, speech, and mind. These are the kamma-producing processes that ‘fabricate’ experience. It is the fourth of the five aggregates.

Also known as: volitional formations, fabrications
Pāli: saṅkhāra
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Unwholesome

Unwholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of poor health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameworthy, unhealthy, unskillful, unbeneficial, karmically unprofitable
Pāli: akusala
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 11, 2026