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MN 135 
 
Majjhima Nikāya 
The Middle Length Discourses 
 
Vibhaṅga Vagga 
The Section on Breakdowns 
 
Cūḷa Kammavibhaṅga Sutta 
“The Shorter Classification on Kamma (Intentional Actions)” 
 
Translated by Candana Bhikkhu 
 
Copyright © Candana Bhikkhu 2025 
 
 
I have personally heard this. 
Once, while The Blessed One was living in Sāvatthī, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery in Jeta’s 
Park, the brahmin student Subha, the son of Todeyya, went and approached The Teacher. After 
exchanging friendly and cordial greetings, he then sat to one side and by addressing The Blessed 
One, asked a question: 
“What is behind, what is the cause, O Master Gautama, whereby some human beings are born as 
inferior to others, while others are born as superior? 
“What is behind, what is the cause, O Master Gautama, whereby some human beings end up 
having short lives, while others go on living up to advanced age, and only die after having lived 
for a very long time? 
“Why are some human beings weakly and prone to sickness, while others are not; living healthy 
lives without having many ailments? 
“What is the reason, Master Gautama, that some are born ugly and unattractive in appearance, 
while others are beautiful and lovely? 
“What is the reason that some are born into families and positions that are important and 
influential in society, while others are not, and thus live without any influence?  
“What is behind, what is the reason, Master Gautama, whereby some human beings are born into 
wealth and affluence, while others are born into poverty, without the resources or means that 
others have? 
“What is the reason that some humans are born into the lower-caste families in society, while 
others are high-born into prominent and leading castes? 
“Why are some human beings stupid and witless, while others are wise and discerning?

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“Therefore, Master Gautama, what is behind, what is the cause, for some human beings to be 
born as inferior, while others are born as superior?” 
“Young pupil, beings are the owners of their intentionally committed actions, their Kamma; they 
are the inescapable inheritors of their kamma; for, kamma is their matrix and origin; kamma is 
their ancestral blood line; kamma is their refuge and resort.  
“Therefore, it is one’s own intentional actions that lead one to be born as inferior, while others 
are born as superior. All that is due to the individual’s kamma: one’s own true and binding 
inheritance.” 
Then, on hearing these words spoken by The Blessed One, the young brahmin Subha said this, 
while addressing The Teacher: 
“But, Master Gautama, I am unable to grasp the deeper meaning or understand the detailed 
nuances of what Master Gautama just mentioned briefly.  
“Please, may the Great Gautama kindly unfold and reveal the depth of meaning of what he 
outlined in brief. That way, I may hear and thus learn the deeper meaning and understand the 
detailed nuances of Master Gautama’s instruction to me.” 
“In that case, young pupil, listen carefully to what I shall say!” 
“Yes, Blessed Lord,” replied the young brahmin. 
And The Blessed One continued instructing, as he said this: 
 
 
1. “Here, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who kills living beings, while having a 
ravenously blood-thirsty heart. Being a violent person, he or she would seek to murder and 
assault living beings, having a cold-blooded and merciless disposition.  
 
“Now, while living contentiously with an angry heart and possessing wrong view, at the breakup 
of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain, 
reappearing into the lower realms, being reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or 
other, instead of reappearing in the hell realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then the life that 
person is reborn into will be short-lived.   
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up having short lives, while 
others go on living up to advanced age, and only die after having lived a very long life. Thus, 
wanting to harm and kill living beings is the surest way to have a life that is short-lived. 
 
1a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who abstains from harming or 
killing living beings; someone who puts down weapons and sticks that are used to harm others, 
and thus, he or she lives a kind and caring life, with compassion in the heart and an empathic 
disposition towards all living beings.

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“Now, while living contentedly with a kind heart and possessing right view, at the breakup of the 
body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of heavenly delights, reappearing into the 
divine realms. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing into the divine 
realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then the life that person is reborn into is long-lived. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings have a long lifespan, up to an 
advanced age, and only die after having lived a very long life, while others end up having lives 
that are short-lived. Thus, living one’s life with a kind and caring attitude, with compassion in 
one’s heart and an empathic disposition towards all living beings, is the surest way to have a life 
that is long-lived. 
 
 
2. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who enjoys hurting and harming living 
beings, whether through his body, such as by striking with his hand, or by other objects like a 
cane or a stick, or with a blade.  
 
“Now, as a result of having such a nasty way of thinking, and behaving in a mean manner 
towards others, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of utter 
misery, sorrow, and pain, reappearing into the lower realms; being reborn in the hells. However, 
if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing in the hell realms, he or she is reborn as a 
human, then as a human being that person will be weakly and prone to sickness, experiencing 
many ailments and unable to enjoy health. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up being weakly and prone to 
sickness, while others do not, living healthy lives without many ailments.  
 
“Thus, being nasty and behaving in such a mean manner towards others, whether by using one’s 
body, such as in striking with one’s hand, or by other objects like a cane or a stick, or with a 
blade – is the surest way to end up having a body that is weakly and prone to sickness; of 
experiencing many ailments, and being unable to enjoy health. 
 
2a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who abstains from hurting or 
harming living beings, whether through his body, such as by striking with his hand, or by other 
objects like a cane or a stick, or with a blade.  
 
“Now, as a result of having avoided such damaging behaviors, at the breakup of the body, after 
death, such a person is reborn into states of heavenly delights, reappearing into the divine 
realms. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing into the divine realms, he or 
she is reborn as a human, then the life of that person brings with it a body that does not become 
sick or weak; he or she thus lives a healthy life, without experiencing ailments or sickness. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings come to possess and enjoy healthy 
lives without having many ailments, whereas others end up being weakly in their bodies, and 
prone to becoming sick.  
 
“Thus, refusing to be nasty or to behave in such a mean manner towards others, whether through 
one’s body, such as by striking with one’s hand, or in using objects like a cane or a stick, or a

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blade – is the surest way to be reborn into a body that does not become sick nor weak. Instead, 
such a person lives a healthy life, without experiencing ailments or sickness. 
 
 
3. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman with an angry character, irritable and 
short-tempered, who becomes inflamed with rage and hostility at the slightest provocation, and 
whose heart hardens quickly, turning bitter, nasty and cold in his or her attitude towards others. 
 
“Now, as a result of having such a harsh and mean attitude towards others, at the breakup of the 
body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain; 
reappearing into the lower realms, being reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or 
other, instead of reappearing in the hell realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then as a human 
being, such a person will be born ugly and unattractive to look at, unlike others are beautiful and 
lovely. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up being born ugly and 
unattractive to look at, while others are beautiful and lovely.  
 
“Thus, living with an angry character, being irritable and short-tempered, becoming inflamed 
with rage and hostility at the slightest provocation, and having a heart that hardens quickly, 
turning bitter, nasty and cold in his or her attitude towards others – is the surest way to end up 
being born ugly and unattractive to look at, while others are beautiful and lovely. 
 
3a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who does not possess an angry 
character, who avoids becoming irritable or bitter, and instead, is patient and persevering; 
someone who does not become hostile nor inflamed with rage at the slightest provocation, where 
he or she maintains a soft heart, remaining kind and sweet, as well as being considerate towards 
others. 
 
“Now, as a result of having such a lovely character, at the breakup of the body, after death, such 
a person is reborn into states of heavenly delights, reappearing into the divine realms. However, 
if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing into the divine realms, he or she is reborn as a 
human, then in that life, such a person is reborn into a body that is beautiful and lovely, 
compared to others, who are born ugly and unattractive to look at. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are born to be attractive and 
beautiful, whereas others end up being ugly and unattractive to look at.  
 
“Thus, refusing to be an angry person and avoiding to become irritable or bitter, and instead 
choosing to become patient and persevering, one who does not become hostile nor inflamed with 
rage at the slightest provocation, who maintains a soft heart, remaining kind and sweet, as well 
as considerate towards others – is the surest way to be reborn into a body that is both attractive 
and beautiful, whereas others end up being ugly and unattractive to look at.

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4. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who is envious and resentful of others; 
someone who is jealous, full of grudges and antagonism towards those who gain fame, respect, 
and honor. 
 
“Now, as a result of being envious and jealous of others, at the breakup of the body, after death, 
such a person is reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain; reappearing into the lower 
realms, being reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing in 
the hell realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then that person would be born into a family and 
positions that are insignificant, without much importance or influence in society. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up being born into families and 
positions that are insignificant or unimportant, hence without any influential role to play in 
society.  
 
“Thus, being envious and resentful of others, full of grudges and antagonism towards those who 
gain fame, respect, and honor – is the surest way to end up being born into an insignificant role 
in society, a position that is without any influence. 
 
4a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who is neither envious nor 
resentful of others; someone who is not jealous, who neither begrudgingly looks at what others 
have or enjoy, nor is antagonistic towards those who gain fame, respect, and honor. 
 
“Now, as a result of overcoming the tendency to become envious, thus abstaining to have any 
jealousy towards others, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into 
states of heavenly delights, reappearing into the divine realms. However, if for some reason or 
other, instead of reappearing into the divine realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then such a 
person would be born into a family and positions that are important and influential in society. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are born into families and positions 
that are important and influential in society, while others are not, living without such influence.  
 
“Thus, refusing to be envious or jealous of others, while not begrudgingly looking at the 
successes of others – is the surest way to be reborn as a human into families and positions that 
are important and influential in society. 
 
 
5. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who does not offer any food or drinks 
to those in need; someone who refuses to support or give any gifts of clothing, transportation, 
various requisites, such as a dwelling place, oil lamps and other utensils to help them see in the 
dark, or other basic necessities of life to those in need. 
 
“Now, as a result of being stingy and miserly, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a 
person is reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain, reappearing into the lower realms, 
being reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing in the hell 
realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then such a person would be born into poverty, lacking 
most if not all the necessities of life; born into families that are destitute and without resources or 
means.

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“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up being born into poverty, in 
families that are destitute and without resources or means, whereas others are born into much 
wealth and affluence. 
 
“Thus, living a stingy and miserly life, refusing to help others or support them by giving gifts of 
food or drinks to those in need; nor offering gifts of clothing, transportation, various requisites, 
such as a dwelling place, oil lamps and other utensils to help them see in the dark, and thus not 
offering basic necessities of life to those in need – is the surest way to end up being born into 
poverty, lacking most if not all of the basic necessities of life; being born among families that are 
destitute and without resources or means. 
 
5a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who does indeed offer food and 
drinks to those practitioners and brahmins in need; someone who eagerly supports others by 
giving gifts of clothing, transportation, various requisites, such as a dwelling place, oil lamps and 
other utensils to help them see in the dark, or other basic necessities of life to those in need. 
 
“Now, as a result of being generous and open-handedly giving to all those practitioners and 
brahmins in need, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of 
heavenly delights, reappearing into the divine realms. However, if for some reason or other, 
instead of reappearing into the divine realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then such a person 
would be born into an affluently rich family, with much wealth and vast resources to enjoy. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are born into affluently rich families, 
with much wealth and vast resources to enjoy, whereas others are born into poverty, in families 
that are destitute and without resources or means. 
 
“Thus, living with open-handed generosity, while offering food and drinks to those practitioners 
and brahmins in need, eagerly supporting them by giving gifts of clothing, transportation, various 
requisites, such as a dwelling place, oil lamps and other utensils to help them see in the dark, and 
other basic necessities of life to those in need – is the surest way to be reborn as a human into 
affluently rich families, with much wealth and vast resources to enjoy. 
 
6. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who is arrogant and conceited, 
obstinately refusing to pay respects nor venerate those who are worthy of respect and veneration. 
Thus, they do not bow, nor rise from their seats, and neither offer their seat, to those truly 
deserving of honor and respect.  
 
“Now, as a result of their arrogance and conceit, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a 
person is reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain; reappearing into the lower realms, 
being reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing in the hell 
realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then such a person would be born into the lower-caste 
families of society. 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings end up being born into the lower-
caste families of society, while others are high-born into prominent and leading castes.

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“Thus, living arrogantly and conceited, obstinately refusing to pay any respects nor venerate 
those who worthy of respect and veneration; not bowing, nor rising from one’s seat, and neither 
offering their seat to those truly deserving of honor and respect – is the surest way to be reborn 
into the lower-caste families of society. 
 
6a. “On the other hand, there may be another man or woman, who is not arrogant or conceited, 
who pays genuine respects to and venerates those who are worthy of respect and veneration. 
Thus, they are humble enough to bow, rise from their seats, and offer their seat, to those truly 
deserving of honor and respect. 
 
“Now, as a result of not being arrogant, conceited, or obstinate in their behavior, at the breakup 
of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of heavenly delights, reappearing into 
the divine realms. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing into the divine 
realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then that person would reappear into high-born families, 
into prominent and leading castes. 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are high-born into prominent and 
leading families and castes, whereas others end up being born into the lower-caste families of 
society. 
 
“Thus, not being arrogant or conceited, and instead paying genuine respects to and venerating 
those who are worthy of respect and veneration; living with humility, where one bows, rises up 
from their seats, and offers one’s seat, to those truly deserving of honor and respect – is the 
surest way to be reborn into prominent families, being high-born, and thus reappearing among 
leading families and castes. 
 
 
7. “Further, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who does not take the initiative to 
approach and ask a teacher or a dedicated practitioner the following questions: 
 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is skillful and what is unskillful?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is a blameworthy behavior, and what is a blameless 
action or behavior?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what should be cultivated and what should not?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action is in fact damaging, that could lead to 
my destruction and lasting harm?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action I must engage in that brings about my 
happiness and wellbeing, for a very long time? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me the kind of action that once performed, will take the one who 
commits it into states of misery, and even to hell? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what the reason is why some human beings are stupid and 
witless, while others are wise and discerning? 
 
“Now, because of their lack in initiative or interest to approach and ask a teacher or a dedicated 
practitioner such important questions, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a person is 
reborn into states of utter misery, sorrow, and pain, reappearing into the lower realms, being

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reborn in the hells. However, if for some reason or other, instead of reappearing in the hell 
realms, he or she is reborn as a human, then that person will be stupid and witless. 
 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are born stupid and witless, while 
others are wise and discerning. 
 
“Thus, living without taking the initiative to approach and ask a teacher or a dedicated 
practitioner the following questions: 
 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is skillful and what is unskillful?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is a blameworthy behavior, and what is a blameless 
action or behavior?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what should be cultivated and what should not?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action is in fact damaging, that could lead to 
my destruction and lasting harm?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action I must engage in that brings about my 
happiness and wellbeing, for a very long time? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me the kind of action that once performed, will take the one who 
commits it into states of misery, and even to hell? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what the reason is why some human beings are stupid and 
witless, while others are wise and discerning? 
 
“Is the surest way to end up reappearing as a stupid and witless person, if one is reborn into the 
human realm. 
 
 
7a. “On the other hand, young pupil, there is a type of man or woman who does indeed take the 
initiative to approach and ask a teacher or a dedicated practitioner the following questions: 
 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is skillful and what is unskillful?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is a blameworthy behavior, and what is a blameless 
action or behavior?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what should be cultivated and what should not?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action is in fact damaging, that could lead to 
my destruction and lasting harm?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action I must engage in that brings about my 
happiness and wellbeing, for a very long time? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me the kind of action that once performed, will take the one who 
commits it into states of misery, and even to hell? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what the reason is why some human beings are stupid and 
witless, while others are wise and discerning? 
 
“Now, as a result of one’s vested interest in wanting to find out and therefore learn what one 
does not know, having the interest and curiosity in finding out the truth about these very 
important matters, at the breakup of the body, after death, such a person is reborn into states of 
heavenly delights, reappearing into the divine realms. However, if for some reason or other,

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instead of reappearing into the divine realms, he or she is reborn into the human realm, then one 
would be a wise and discerning human being. 
“This, therefore, is the cause, whereby some human beings are born as wise and discerning, 
whereas others are born stupid and witless. 
 
“Thus, taking the initiative to approach and ask a teacher or a dedicated practitioner the 
following questions: 
 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is skillful and what is unskillful?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what is a blameworthy behavior, and what is a blameless 
action or behavior?’ or 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what should be cultivated and what should not?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action is in fact damaging, that could lead to 
my destruction and lasting harm?  
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what kind of action I must engage in that brings about my 
happiness and wellbeing, for a very long time? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me the kind of action that once performed, will take the one who 
commits it into states of misery, and even to hell? 
‘Bhante, could you please teach me what the reason is why some human beings are stupid and 
witless, while others are wise and discerning? 
 
“Would be the surest way to end up reappearing as a wise and discerning human being, unlike 
those who are reborn as stupid and witless.  
 
“Now this, young pupil, is therefore the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very 
reason, why some human beings end up having short lives, while others go on living into 
advanced age, and only die after having lived for a very long time. 
“Furthermore, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young 
pupil, why some human beings are weakly and prone to sickness, while others are not; living 
healthy lives without having many ailments. 
“Also, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young pupil, why 
some are born ugly and unattractive to look at, while others are beautiful and lovely. 
“Also, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young pupil, why 
some are born into families and positions that are important and influential in society, while 
others are not and thus live without any influence.  
“Also, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young pupil, why 
some human beings are born into wealth and affluence, while others are born into poverty, 
without the resources or means that some others have. 
“Also, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young pupil, why 
some humans are born into the lower-caste families of society, while others are high-born into 
prominent and leading castes.

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“Also, this is the path of practice; the way of living one’s life, the very reason, young pupil, why 
some human beings are stupid and witless, while others are wise and discerning. 
“After all, young pupil, beings are the owners of their intentionally committed actions, their 
Kamma; they are the inescapable inheritors of their kamma; for, kamma is their matrix and 
origin; kamma is their ancestral blood line; kamma is their refuge and resort.  
“Therefore, it is one’s own intentional actions that lead one to be born as inferior, while others 
are born as superior, all due to the individual’s kamma: one’s own true and binding inheritance.” 
Then, on hearing these words spoken by The Blessed One, the young brahmin Subha, Todeyya’s 
son, said this, while addressing The Teacher with his hands clasped together in front of his heart, 
in anjalī: 
“It is excellent, Bhante! It is marvelous, Bhante! The Blessed One has made The Dhamma 
clear to me in many ways. I feel as though The Blessed One has turned upright what was 
overturned; revealing what was hidden, by showing the correct path to someone who was lost, 
much like bringing a lit oil lamp into the darkness, for all those with eyesight to see! 
 
“From this day forth, may The Blessed One remember me as one of His lay disciples, who has 
gone for Refuge to Him, until my very last breath!” 
 
 
 
Sādhu      
Sādhu      
Sādhu 
 
 
Copyright © Candana Bhikkhu 2025
