Volition and intention

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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form
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Volition and intention

Post by form »

How correlated are these two?
SteRo
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by SteRo »

form wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:14 am How correlated are these two?
Definition of volition

1 : the power of choosing or determining : will
2 : an act of making a choice or decision also : a choice or decision made
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volition
Definition of intention

1a : what one intends to do or bring about
b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
2 : a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention


What is the "correlation" of meanings [of words]? :shrug:
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
form
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by form »

SteRo wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:51 am
form wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:14 am How correlated are these two?
Definition of volition

1 : the power of choosing or determining : will
2 : an act of making a choice or decision also : a choice or decision made
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volition
Definition of intention

1a : what one intends to do or bring about
b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
2 : a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention


What is the "correlation" of meanings [of words]? :shrug:
For example, both volition and intention have karmic effect.
Bundokji
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by Bundokji »

Usually, the way the two terms are used refers to intention as potential to act while volition is what evaluates and approves/disapprove that potential. Just take the notion of "i changed my mind" where the original thought was intended but volition did not approve.
And the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "Behold now, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"

This was the last word of the Tathagata.
SarathW
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by SarathW »

Do you know the Pali word for these two, please?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
form
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by form »

SarathW wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:03 pm Do you know the Pali word for these two, please?
I do not think pali mastery alone will be the deciding factor in penetrating the dhamma. One can not know pali but know English. By comparing, two or three English translations of the same pali materials, one can know the rough meaning of a certain text. Then from direct experience one will validate the meaning of the content or from that derived insights. Bear in mind there is shortcoming in any version of a translation in a specific language. No one use pali as their first language. Hence, whatever meaning perceived from pali words will also be a form of translation.

Anyway, the reason why I think there is a correlation is because of their karmic effects. And also from a text in SN on a DO explanation of name and form. That to me suggested that there is a correlation.
Spiny Norman
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by Spiny Norman »

Buddha save me from new-agers!
Dhammavamsa
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by Dhammavamsa »

Imo, a balance need to strike between one's common sense in understanding the Scriptures and the Pali knowledge too.

Someone too rigid on the Pali word, grammar, structure etc, might miss the contemporary meaning of the word.

Or, too reliable on one's own limited intelligence and common sense might distort the meaning of the scriptures too.
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SarathW
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by SarathW »

Agree.
Volition = Cetana
What is the Pali word for intention?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
asahi
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by asahi »

SarathW wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:12 pm
Agree.
Volition = Cetana
What is the Pali word for intention?
Intention should be sankappa
No bashing No gossiping
SarathW
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Re: Volition and intention

Post by SarathW »

In that case Cetana (kamma) is the result of intention (Sankappa)

kamma created by body, mind and speech is the result of intention (Sankappa) (as per Noble Eightfold Path)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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