Intention (Buddhism)

In Tibetan Buddhism this mental factor has the function of engaging the mind in its object, whether virtuous, non-virtuous or neutral, and thus unites and powers the minds and the mental factors. It may arise in respect to intended physical or verbal actions, or mental actions of intention. In Hinayana Buddhism it manifests as coordinating, is characterized by willing and has the function of accumulating. It drives associated states, causing them to be energetic in remembering urgent tasks, for example.

One of the five omnipresent mental factors defined in Tibetan Buddhism. One of the formations aggregate (mental coefficients) of Hinayana Buddhism, being listed among the constant states which appear in their true nature, and as general primary (always present in any consciousness).