Intention karma and intended karma
78 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Volume 2 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 
Feb 12, 2021 Part of an ongoing series of teachings (retreat and Friday) based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, second volume in “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion” series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.
- Intention karma, mental action
- Intended karma, physical or verbal action
- Mental factor of intention
- Non virtuous or virtuous mental factor
- Intention, views of different tenet systems
- Perceptible form, indicates the intention
- Imperceptible form, strong intention, subtle form, obscure phenomena
- Different types of precepts and imperceptible form
- Visible or invisible and obstructive or non obstructive forms
The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 78: Intention Karma and Intended Karma (download)
Contemplation points
- Think about intention karma and intended karma. As you go through the day, be aware of when you create intention karma and when you create intended karma. Lists some examples.
- Our actions are preceded by one or more intentions. Our teachers repeatedly remind us of the importance of generating bodhicitta in everything we do, especially when meditating and listening to teachings. Reflect on the different outcomes of a bodhichitta motivation vs the motivation of malice, for example.
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.
