07 Formations

Saṅkhāra, meaning formations, is the second term in dependent origination (paṭicca-samuppāda). Originally equated with volition (cetanā) and ideation, it encompasses all conditioned phenomena (saṅkhata) except Nibbāna. These formations arise in dependence on ignorance (avijjā), manifesting as karmic volitions or psychological complexes. Because ignorance conditions these reactive mental states, understanding this relationship is vital to seeing how saṅkhāra determines the specific character and nature of every arising thought within the mind.