Chapter 2 - Kammabhava

Kammabhava means the kamma that leads to rebirth. The Buddha describes it as the punnabhi, apunnabhi and anenjabhi sankharas that lead to lower sensual world or the higher material and immaterial worlds. He also identifies kammabhava with all kammas that give rise to new existence.

Of the three sankharas, punnabhi sankhara comprises the eight wholesome volitions (cetana) in sensual sphere and five wholesome volitions in the material (rupa) sphere. Apunnabhi sankhara is the group of twelve unwholesome volitions. Anenjabhi sankhara means the four wholesome volitions in immaterial sphere. Also leading to rebirth are the kammas that arise together with the wholesome volitions in sensual sphere, viz., having no covetous thoughts or designs about anothers possessions, having no design against another persons life and holding right views. These kammas are implicit in punnabhi sankhara. In short, kammabhava is the good or bad volition that leads to rebirth.