The Buddha explains four kinds of kamma: dark deeds (breaking precepts), bright deeds (keeping precepts), mixed deeds, and neither dark nor bright deeds. The fourth category uniquely leads to the wearing away of all deeds.

AN 4.235  Paṭhamasikkhāpada sutta - First Training Rule

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

“|Bhikkhus,::::| having realized them for myself with |direct knowledge::experiential realization [abhiññā]|, I have declared these four kinds of |deeds::actions, kamma [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 are|, bhikkhus,::::| dark deeds |with dark results::having negative consequences [kaṇhavipāka]|;
2.) There are|, bhikkhus,::::| bright deeds |with bright results::having positive consequences [sukkavipāka]|;
3.) There are|, bhikkhus,::::| dark and bright deeds |with dark and bright results::having both positive and negative consequences [kaṇhasukkavipāka]|;
4.) There are|, bhikkhus,::::| neither dark nor bright deeds |with neither dark nor bright results::having neither positive nor negative consequences [akaṇhasukkavipāka]|, which leads to the |wearing away of deeds::exhaustion of kamma [kammakkhaya]|.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhaṁ kaṇhavipākaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyī hoti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhaṁ kaṇhavipākaṁ.

And what|, bhikkhus,::::| are dark deeds with dark results? Here, |bhikkhus,::::| someone kills living beings, takes what is not given, engages in sexual misconduct, speaks falsely, and indulges in liquor, wine, and intoxicants that cause negligence. These are called|, bhikkhus,::::| dark deeds with dark results.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, kammaṁ sukkaṁ sukkavipākaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, kammaṁ sukkaṁ sukkavipākaṁ.

And what|, bhikkhus,::::| are bright deeds with bright results? Here, |bhikkhus,::::| someone abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, and abstains from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that cause negligence. These are called|, bhikkhus,::::| bright deeds with bright results.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhasukkaṁ kaṇhasukkavipākaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco sabyābajjhampi abyābajjhampi kāyasaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti …pe… idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, kammaṁ kaṇhasukkaṁ kaṇhasukkavipākaṁ.

And what|, bhikkhus,::::| are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? Here, |bhikkhus,::::| someone produces |bodily constructs::bodily processes associated with breathing, specifically the in-and-out breath. It encompasses the physical movements and sensations that arise from the act of breathing. [kāyasaṅkhārā]| that are both |afflictive::hurtful, harmful [sabyābajjha]| and non-afflictive ... These are called|, bhikkhus,::::| dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, kammaṁ akaṇhaasukkaṁ akaṇhaasukkavipākaṁ kammakkhayāya saṁvattati? Tatra, bhikkhave, yamidaṁ kammaṁ kaṇhaṁ kaṇhavipākaṁ …pe… idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, kammaṁ akaṇhaasukkaṁ akaṇhaasukkavipākaṁ kammakkhayāya saṁvattati.

And what|, bhikkhus,::::| are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the wearing away of deeds? Therein, |bhikkhus,::::| regarding whatever are dark deeds with dark results ... these are called|, bhikkhus,::::| neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the wearing away of deeds.

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

These|, bhikkhus,::::| are the four kinds of deeds 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 May 8, 2026