Intending, planning, and underlying tendencies are the basis for the continuation of consciousness.

SN 12.38  Cetanā sutta - Intending

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

At Sāvatthi.

“Yañca, bhikkhave, ceteti yañca pakappeti yañca anuseti, ārammaṇametaṁ hoti viññāṇassa ṭhitiyā. Ārammaṇe sati patiṭṭhā viññāṇassa hoti. Tasmiṁ patiṭṭhite viññāṇe virūḷhe āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbatti hoti. Āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbattiyā sati āyatiṁ jāti jarāmaraṇaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā sambhavanti. Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.

“Bhikkhus, here, whatever one |intends::wills, thinks about [ceteti]|, what one |plans::designs, imagines [pakappeti]|, and whatever one has a |tendency::attachment, clinging, holding on [anuseti]| towards, bhikkhus, this becomes a basis for the continuity of |consciousness::that dependently arisen knowing which, when rooted in ignorance and supported by intentional constructs, finds a footing and becomes established in a sense realm, a form realm, or a formless realm leading to production of renewed existence in the future [viññāṇa]|. When there is a basis, there is a support for the establishing of consciousness. When consciousness is established and has come to growth, there is the production of renewed existence in the future. When there is the production of renewed existence in the future, there is future birth, aging, and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. Thus there is the arising of this entire mass of |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|.

No ce, bhikkhave, ceteti no ce pakappeti, atha ce anuseti, ārammaṇametaṁ hoti viññāṇassa ṭhitiyā. Ārammaṇe sati patiṭṭhā viññāṇassa hoti. Tasmiṁ patiṭṭhite viññāṇe virūḷhe āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbatti hoti. Āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbattiyā sati āyatiṁ jāti jarāmaraṇaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā sambhavanti. Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.

If one does not intend, does not plan, but still has a tendency toward something, bhikkhus, this becomes a basis for the continuity of consciousness. When there is a basis, there is a support for the establishing of consciousness. When consciousness is established and comes to growth, there is the production of renewed existence in the future. When there is the production of renewed existence in the future, there is future birth, aging, and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. Thus there is the arising of this entire mass of suffering.

Yato ca kho, bhikkhave, no ceva ceteti no ca pakappeti no ca anuseti, ārammaṇametaṁ na hoti viññāṇassa ṭhitiyā. Ārammaṇe asati patiṭṭhā viññāṇassa na hoti. Tadappatiṭṭhite viññāṇe avirūḷhe āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbatti na hoti. Āyatiṁ punabbhavābhinibbattiyā asati āyatiṁ jāti jarāmaraṇaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā nirujjhanti. Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotī”ti.

However, bhikkhus, when one neither intends, nor plans, nor has a tendency toward anything, there is no basis for the continuation of consciousness. With no basis, there is no support for the continuity of consciousness. When consciousness is not established and does not come to growth, there is no production of renewed existence in the future. When there is no production of renewed existence in the future, there is no future birth, aging, and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. Thus there is the cessation of this entire mass of suffering.”

Qualities:

Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and cessation of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Right intention

Right intention

Intention of renunciation, goodwill, or harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation.

Also known as: correct resolve, wholesome thought, skillful aspiration, right volition
Pāli: sammāsaṅkappa
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Wrong intention

Wrong intention

Intention of sensuality, ill will, or harming. It inclines thought and action toward harm and exploitation, opposing the intentions of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness.

Also known as: incorrect resolve, unwholesome thought, unskillful aspiration, wrong thought, harmful volition
Pāli: micchāsaṅkappa
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Last updated on November 30, 2025