Three doors of karma
Bodily karma concerns deeds; verbal karma concerns spoken words, messages, comments, and how information is conveyed; mental karma concerns greed, anger, delusion, or good intentions cultivated in the mind.
Karma of body, speech, and mind
What Are the Three Karmic Actions? Body, Speech, and Mind in Daily Practice
Pāli: kāyakamma, vacīkamma, manokamma · Sanskrit: kāyakarman, vākkarman, manaskarman · Vietnamese: Tam nghiệp
The Three Karmic Actions are the three doors through which karma is created: body, speech, and mind. Bodily karma is action through the body; verbal karma is speech; mental karma is intention, thought, and tendencies in the mind. Buddhism emphasizes that karma is not only what is done outwardly but begins with intention. A word can heal or harm; an action can protect or violate; a thought nurtured over time can become a habit that carries life far in a particular direction. Understanding the Three Karmic Actions is not about condemning ourselves for every passing thought, but recognizing where awareness is needed: what intention is guiding us, what words should stop, and what actions need correcting. When body, speech, and mind are cared for, ethical conduct and mindfulness become concrete practices in an ordinary day.
A guide by Inti Foundation · updated
Mental karma needs to be seen early
AN 6.63 emphasizes that intention is karma. If practitioners see an intention before it becomes speech or action, they have a chance to change direction at the root.
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Practice today
- 1.Before a strong reaction, ask: does this intention come from greed, anger, fear, or understanding?
- 2.Stop yourself from saying something that is true but intended only to hurt.
- 3.At the end of the day, review one bodily action, one verbal action, and one mental action that need renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Three Karmic Actions?
They are bodily, verbal, and mental karma: actions through the body, speech, and intentions in the mind.
Is a passing thought heavy karma?
Do not rush to that conclusion. Observe whether an intention is being nurtured and whether it leads to harmful speech or action.
How can the Three Karmic Actions be transformed?
Begin by observing precepts, recognizing intentions, speaking more truthfully and kindly, and correcting one concrete action each day.
Sources for deeper reading
AN 6.63 — Nibbedhika Sutta
AN 6.63 presents intention as karma and karma as expressed through body, speech, and mind; search the Inti library by the discourse reference.