References – AN 6.63: Penetrative 
Sutta / Aṅguttara Nikāya / AN 6: Chakkanipāta / AN 6.63: Nibbedhikasutta

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“Is Nibbāna the ending of kamma or rather the fruition of skillful kamma? What is meant by kamma that results in neither good nor bad kamma in light of the Buddha’s explanation of the four kinds of action (MN 57.7)? How to understand volition/intention in relation to kamma and Nibbāna?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nibbāna] [Kamma] [Volition] // [Suffering] [Rebirth] [Non-identification]

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: The formula of the Four Noble Truths applied to kamma. [Four Noble Truths]

Quote: “For an enlightened being, there is no response to the human condition other than compassion.” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Arahant] [Compassion] [Human]

Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 5, Excerpt 6


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“Could you speak about the importance of intention and volition as related to karma and to the story about the chicken who set the intention to lay on her eggs but didn’t follow through (SN 22.101)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] [Kamma] [Similes] // [Energy]

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: Karma is volition.

Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 6, Excerpt 15


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“If you had to pick one of the following, which one would be more important: Understanding/insight into kamma or understanding/insight into anicca?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Knowledge and vision] [Kamma] [Impermanence] // [Liberation] [Teaching Dhamma]

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: Kamma formulated in the pattern of the Four Noble Truths. [Four Noble Truths]

Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 8, Excerpt 12


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“Does volition differ from intention?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] // [Pāli] [Translation] [Kamma] [Self-identity view] [Skillful qualities]

Follow-up: “When we talk about effort, intention, and result in the Vinaya, is cetanā the word for intention?” [Vinaya]

Follow-up: “Saṅkhāra is sometimes translated as volitional formations. How does this differ from cetanā?” [Volitional formations]

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: “Kamma is volition.”

The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 33, Excerpt 6


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“When we immerse and lose ourselves in a book or movie, is this the craving or thirst for non-being?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Craving not to become ] // [Kamma] [Volition] [Restlessness and worry]

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: Kamma is intention.

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 18, Excerpt 1


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“You mentioned the class of actions that are neither bright nor dark as the path leading to Nibbāna. But isn’t the work one does on the path good?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Kaccāna. [Kamma] [Nibbāna] [Skillful qualities] // [Happiness] [Liberation] [Clinging]

Sutta: MN 57.7: Four kinds of kamma.

Sutta: MN 75.19: Nibbāna is the highest bliss.

Sutta: AN 6.63.33: Kamma, its origin, and its cessation. [Four Noble Truths]

Sutta: MN 117: The Great Forty.

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 32, Excerpt 3


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“The Buddha said, ‘I teach one thing.’ If one overcomes the hindrances, eliminating the conditions that lead to dukkha, what is the focus on the Four Noble Truths, Three Characteristics, Foundations of Mindfulness, etc.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Suffering] [Cessation of Suffering] [Four Noble Truths] [Characteristics of existence] // [Eightfold Path] [Happiness]

Sutta: AN 6.63.42: Two results of suffering.

Note: SN 22.86 and other suttas where the Buddha says, ‘I teach suffering and the end of suffering’ do not mention ‘one thing.’

Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 2, Excerpt 4


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“How do we work with self-destructive and harmful repetitive patterns in our life? We can’t really force change.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Habits ] [Unskillful qualities] // [Craving not to become] [Drawbacks] [Suffering] [Self-identity view]

Sutta: AN 6.63.42: Two results of suffering.

Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 2, Excerpt 9