samyaksankalpa

Samyak-sankalpa, often rendered sammasankalpa or sammā-sankappa in Pali, is a Buddhist term meaning “right intention” or “proper resolve.” The word combines samyak (“correct, proper”) with sankalpa (“intention, resolve, determination”), signaling a mental factor that guides ethical conduct. In the framework of the Noble Eightfold Path, samyak-sankalpa is the second factor, arising after right view and shaping the motivation behind subsequent speech, action, and livelihood.

Traditional interpretation identifies three aspects of right intention: renunciation or letting go of attachment to sensual pleasures and unwholesome states; non-ill-will or loving-kindness toward others; and harmlessness or compassion, avoiding intentional harm. These motives form the basis for wholesome conduct and support progress toward liberation, rather than arising from craving or aversion.

Across Buddhist traditions, samyak-sankalpa is seen as essential for ethical and meditative development. It emphasizes cultivating intentions that promote well-being and reduce suffering, laying the groundwork for subsequent practices such as ethical conduct, concentration, and wisdom. In some Mahayana contexts, right intention may be linked with bodhicitta—the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings—while remaining a core component of the Eightfold Path in various schools. Overall, samyak-sankalpa denotes the mindful, morally oriented resolve that initiates and sustains Buddhist practice.