cetana and sankappa

[Stephen K]

Why are cetana and sankappa both translated as "intention"? Are they the same thing in meaning, or are they the same just in name?

[David N. Snyder]

Why are cetana and sankappa both translated as "intention"? Are they the same thing in meaning, or are they the same just in name?

According to Maha Thera Nyanatiloka. Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines, Buddhist Publication Society, first edition 1952:

Cetanā: 'intention', will, is one of the seven mental properties cetasika inseparably bound up with all consciousness, namely sensorial or mental contact phassa feeling vedanā perception saññā intention cetanā, concentration samādhi vitality jīvita directing manasikāra Cf. Tab. II, III.

Sankappa: 'thought', is a synonym of vitakka For Right Thought.

Perhaps sankappa is directed more toward intention in regard to thought?

[Dmytro]

Hi Stefan,

Why are cetana and sankappa both translated as "intention"? Are they the same thing in meaning, or are they the same just in name?

They are quite different.

'Sankappa' is rather 'resolve' -

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... index.html

sometimes translated as 'thought':
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... ml#iti-110

and 'cetana' is rather an 'act of will'.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Metta, Dmytro

[Stephen K]

Thank you!

[PeterB]

I am unclear what the difference would be between "resove" and "an act of will"..unless an act of will is literally a single willed act, and resolve is a settled intention..?

[dennis60]

I found this really good source for your question/answer but can not copy and paste it.... so you will have to go to the web site to read it....
http://books.google.com/books?id=GLPGFoLED7sC&pg=PA121&lpg=PA121&dq=definition+cetana+sankappa&source=bl&ots=5PwhVFgd86&sig=bXR8n-bMqLk_aJNHPAvnXoQ6IQI&hl=en&ei=4IbuS6P4C4OdlgfpgP21CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false