In terms of its qualities, or its
roots, kamma can be divided into two main types. They
are:
1. Akusala
kamma: kamma which is unskillful, actions which are
not good, or are evil; specifically, actions which are born from
the akusala mula, the roots of unskillfulness, which are
greed, hatred and delusion.
2. Kusala
kamma: actions which are skillful or good;
specifically, actions which are born from the three kusala
mula, or roots of skill, which are non-greed, non-hatred and
non-delusion.
Alternatively, kamma can be
classified according to the paths or channels through which it
occurs, of which there are three. They are:
1. Bodily kamma:
intentional actions through the body.
2. Verbal kamma:
intentional actions through speech.
3. Mental kamma:
intentional actions through the mind.
Incorporating both of the
classifications described above, we have altogether six kinds of
kamma: bodily, verbal and mental kamma which is unskillful; and
bodily, verbal and mental kamma which is skillful.
Another way of classifying kamma
is according to its results. In this classification there are four
categories:
1. Black
kamma, black result:
This refers to bodily actions, verbal
actions and mental actions which are harmful. Simple examples are
killing, stealing, sexual infidelity, lying and drinking
intoxicants.[d]
2. White kamma, white
result: These are bodily actions, verbal actions and
mental actions which are not harmful, such as practicing in
accordance with the ten bases for skillful action.[e]
3. Kamma that is both
black and white, giving results both black and white:
Bodily actions, verbal actions and mental actions which are partly
harmful, partly not.
4. Kamma which is neither
black nor white, with results neither black nor white, which leads
to the cessation of kamma: This is the intention to
transcend the three kinds of kamma mentioned above, or
specifically, developing the Seven Enlightenment Factors or the
Noble Eightfold Path.
Of the three channels of kamma --
bodily, verbal and mental -- it is mental kamma which is considered
the most important and far-reaching in its effects, as is given in
the Pali:
"Listen, Tapassi. Of these three
types of kamma so distinguished by me, I say that mental kamma has
the heaviest consequences for the committing of evil deeds and the
existence of evil deeds, not bodily or verbal kamma."
Mental kamma is considered to be
the most significant because it is the origin of all other kamma.
Thought precedes action through body and speech. Bodily and verbal
deeds are derived from mental kamma.
http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/buddha/Teachings/035-payutto.htm
