The Orientation of Heart and Mind

Terms

Sanskrit : Samyak-Saṃkalpa (सम्यक्संकल्प)

Pāli : Sammā-Saṅkappa

Etymology

The term is composed of:

— Samyak / Sammā: right, harmonious, correct;

— Saṃkalpa / Saṅkappa: intention, resolution, orientation of the mind.

Right Intention means:

« to orient one's mind correctly »

or

« to develop wise and benevolent motivations ».

Translations in the major languages of Buddhism

Sanskrit: Samyak-Saṃkalpa

Pāli: Sammā-Saṅkappa

Chinese: 正思惟 (Zhèng Sīwéi)

Tibetan: ཡང་དག་པའི་རྟོག་པ་ (Yangdakpé Tokpa)

Japanese: 正思惟 (Shōshiyui)

Korean: 정사유 (Jeongsayu)

Vietnamese: Chánh Tư Duy

Thai: สัมมาสังกัปปะ (Samma Sankappa)

English: Right Intention • Right Thought

Français: Intention Juste • Pensée Juste

Definition

Right Intention is the second branch of the Noble Eightfold Path.

After developing Right View, the practitioner learns to orient their heart and mind in a beneficial direction.

Because our actions often begin with an intention.

Right Intention consists of cultivating motivations that lead to peace rather than suffering.

The Second Branch of the Path

The Buddha teaches that our thoughts and motivations deeply influence:

— our words;

— our actions;

— our relationships;

— our way of life.

Right Intention allows us to align our lives with the wisdom discovered through Right View.

See also:

020VIEWRIGHT

The Three Dimensions of Right Intention

RENUNCIATION

Developing inner freedom from excessive attachment.

It is not about rejecting the world, but about not becoming its prisoner.

BENEVOLENCE

Cultivating respect, friendship, and understanding towards other beings.

This intention opposes hatred and hostility.

NON-VIOLENCE

Developing the sincere desire not to harm.

This attitude nourishes compassion and peace.

Why is intention so important?

The Buddha teaches:

« It is intention that I call Karma. »

Our intentions shape our actions.

Two people can perform the same action.

Yet, the consequences will differ depending on the accompanying intention.

See also:

009_KARMA

Right Intention in Daily Life

It manifests when we choose:

— to listen rather than judge;

— to understand rather than condemn;

— to help rather than harm;

— to share rather than accumulate.

Every moment then becomes an opportunity for training.

Understanding According to Traditions

THERAVĀDA

Right Intention gradually purifies the mind and prepares for meditation.

MAHĀYĀNA

It deepens through universal compassion and the Bodhisattva's spirit.

VAJRAYĀNA

Pure intention becomes a fundamental element of inner transformation.

Associated Images and Symbols

THE ORIENTED ARROW

Conscious direction of the mind.

THE COMPASS

Choosing the right direction.

THE LOTUS

Purity of intention.

THE LAMP

Inner clarity.

Associated Concepts

009_KARMA

019NOBLEPATH

020VIEWRIGHT

022SPEECHRIGHT

023ACTIONRIGHT

028_COMPASSION

029_BENEVOLENCE

030_WISDOM

Quote

« All that we are is the result of what we have thought. »

— Dhammapada

Buddhachannel — A Simple Practice

Before an important conversation, decision, or action, take a few seconds of silence.

Then ask yourself this question:

« What is my deep intention? »

Is it guided by:

fear?

pride?

attachment?

or by understanding and benevolence?

Often, this simple question already transforms our way of acting.

Keywords

Right Intention • Sammā-Saṅkappa • Motivation • Benevolence • Non-violence • Renunciation • Karma • Noble Path • Compassion • Buddhism

Buddhachannel Multilingual Buddhist Encyclopedia

021INTENTIONRIGHT

/glossaire/intention-juste

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