Nidāna Sutta (4)
On the Causes for the Arising of Kamma
[473] Bhikkhus, there are these three root conditions for the full arising of kamma. Which three? Lobha (greed), dosa (hatred), and moha (delusion) are the root conditions for the full arising of kamma.
A kamma done because of lobha, dosa, or moha— arising from lobha, from dosa, from moha, with lobha, dosa, and moha as its origin and its source— such a kamma will ripen wherever this person is reborn. In whatever existence that kamma ripens, there he experiences its fruit— whether in this very life (diṭṭhadhammika), in the next life (upapajjika), or in subsequent lives (aparāpariyāyika).
Just as plants that are intact, unrotted, unspoiled, with well-established roots— when sown in well-prepared ground, in a fertile field, with timely rains— grow and flourish abundantly, even so the kamma done out of lobha, dosa, and moha ripens in future existences.
Bhikkhus, these are the three root conditions for the arising of kamma.
Bhikkhus, there are also three root conditions for the arising of wholesome kamma. Which three? Alobha (non-greed), adosa (non-hatred), and amoha (non-delusion).
A kamma done because of alobha, adosa, and amoha— arising from these, with these as its origin and its source— when lobha, dosa, and moha have been removed, that kamma is abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palmyra stump (tāla-vaṭṭa): it does not arise again in the future.
Just as plants that are intact, unrotted, unspoiled, with well-established roots— if a man burns them completely to ash and scatters the ashes in a fierce wind or throws them into a swift river— those plants, with roots destroyed, do not arise again; even so, the kamma done with alobha, adosa, and amoha does not arise again in future states.
Bhikkhus, these are the three root conditions for the arising of wholesome kamma.
(Closing Verse)
The foolish perform kamma born of lobha, dosa, and moha. Whatever kamma the foolish one does— whether small or great— that kamma bears fruit for the doer himself; there is no other ground that can receive its result.
Therefore, the bhikkhu who understands, having abandoned lobha, dosa, and moha and aroused true knowledge (vijjā), abandons all states of misery.
End of the Nidāna Sutta (4)
Short Pāli Glossary (concise · intensive)
lobha / dosa / moha — greed, hatred, delusion; the three unwholesome roots (akusala-mūla). alobha / adosa / amoha — non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion; the three wholesome roots (kusala-mūla). kamma — intentional action through body, speech, or mind. vipāka — result, fruition of kamma. diṭṭhadhammika — ripened in this present life. upapajjika — ripened in the next life. aparāpariyāyika — ripened in subsequent existences. mūla — root, primary condition. tāla-vaṭṭa — the stump of a palmyra tree, which never grows again; simile for irreversible destruction. bhava — existence, becoming. opapātika — spontaneously arisen existence (not mentioned here but related to fruit of kamma). vijjā — knowledge, true understanding; counterpart of avijjā. duggati / sugati — bad and good destinations.