Kamma

Four Kinds of Kamma (Kamma-catukka)

Kamma-catukka refers to the fourfold classification of karma, which divides intentional actions into four categories across four distinct systems: by timing of fruition, by the order in which they produce results, by function, and by the plane of their effect.

1. By Time of Fruition (Pākakāla Kamma)

(1) Diṭṭhadhamma-vedanīya: Karma that ripens in this very life.

(2) Upapajja-vedanīya: Karma that ripens in the immediately following life.

(3) Aparāpariya-vedanīya: Karma that ripens in any subsequent lifetime until Nibbāna.

(4) Ahosi-kamma: Inoperative karma where the opportunity to ripen never occurs.

2. By Order of Effect (Pākadāna Kamma)

(1) Garuka: Weighty karma (heavy unwholesome deeds like the five heinous acts or highly developed meditative states) that overrides other kammas.

(2) Āsanna: Death-proximate karma; the action or mental state occurring right before death, which heavily influences the next rebirth.

(3) Aciṇṇa: Habitual karma; actions done constantly over a lifetime.

(4) Kaṭatta: Cumulative or residual karma; actions that are done casually, forgotten, or not deeply intended.

3. By Function (Kicca Kamma)

(1) Janaka: Generative karma that produces the mental and physical aggregates at the moment of conception.

(2) Upatthambhaka: Supportive karma that maintains and assists the effects of generative karma.

(3) Upapīḷaka: Oppressive karma that weakens and hinders the ripening of other karmas.

(4) Upaghātaka: Destructive karma that overpowers a weaker karma and cuts off its fruition.

4. By the Plane of Effect (Bhūmi Kamma)

(1) Akusala: Unwholesome karma that yields results in the four woeful states (hell, animal realm, hungry ghost, and asura.).

(2) Kāmāvacara: Wholesome karma of the sense-sphere that produces results in the human realm and lower heavenly planes.

(3) Rūpāvacara: Fine-material sphere karma associated with deep meditative states (Jhānas).

(4) Arūpāvacara: Immaterial sphere karma resulting in formless realm