Sammā Saṅkappa, is the second factor of the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism.
It is typically translated as:
- Right Intention
- Right Resolve
- Right Thought
🎯 Core Meaning
- Sammā Saṅkappa refers to the mental quality of our intentions and motivations. It is about aligning your thoughts and resolves with the path of wisdom and compassion, ensuring they are wholesome and skillful.
- It serves as the crucial link between Right View (wisdom) and the factors that lead to moral conduct (Right Speech, Action, Livelihood). Your right intentions motivate your right actions.
🌟 The Three Types of Right Intention
According to the Buddhist teachings, Sammā Saṅkappa is defined by three specific wholesome intentions, which stand in opposition to unwholesome intentions driven by greed, hatred, and delusion:
- Intention of Renunciation (Nekkhamma Saṅkappa):
- The resolve to be free from sensual desires and attachment to worldly pleasures.
- This counters the intention of desire and attachment.
- Intention of Non-Ill Will / Loving-Kindness (Abyāpāda Saṅkappa):
- The resolve to harbor goodwill towards all beings, wishing them happiness and well-being.
- This counters the intention of ill will, hatred, and aversion.
- Intention of Harmlessness / Compassion (Avihiṃsā Saṅkappa):
- The resolve to refrain from causing harm or injury to any living being.
- This counters the intention of cruelty or harmfulness.
🧭 Sammā Saṅkappa in the Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path is grouped into three divisions, and Sammā Saṅkappa belongs to the Wisdom (Paññā) division, alongside Right View.
| Division | Factor | Pali Term |
| Wisdom (Paññā) | 1. Right View | Sammā Diṭṭhi |
| 2. Right Intention | Sammā Saṅkappa | |
| Moral Conduct (Sīla) | 3. Right Speech | Sammā Vācā |
| 4. Right Action | Sammā Kammanta | |
| 5. Right Livelihood | Sammā Ājīva | |
| Mental Discipline (Samādhi) | 6. Right Effort | Sammā Vāyāma |
| 7. Right Mindfulness | Sammā Sati | |
| 8. Right Concentration | Sammā Samādhi |
It emphasizes that enlightenment is not achieved by actions alone, but by cultivating the right mindset and motivation that guides those actions.