Intention

Intention (Skt. cetanā; Tib. སེམས་པ་, Wyl. sems pa)

Definition

The Khenjuk says that intention is the mind moving towards and engaging with an object. In terms of support, there are six such as intention upon the meeting of the eye [i.e. between object, sense faculty and consciousness], and so on.

The Ornament of Abhidharma says that if there is intention, it focuses on the six objects, like iron on a magnet, and it makes the mind actually manifest and move toward its object. It is the workings of the mind. It can be divided into six, in relation to the six (faculties). Its function is to give rise to the actions of body and speech.

Alternative Translations

• Attraction (Erik Pema Kunsang)