Cetana

Cetanā: 'intention', will, is one of the seven mental properties cetasika inseparably bound up with all consciousness, namely sensorial or mental contact phassa feeling vedanā perception saññā intention cetanā, concentration samādhi vitality jīvita directing manasikāra Cf. Tab. II, III.

With regard to kammical intention i.e. advantageous or disadvantageous kamma it is said in A. VI, 13:;intention is action kamma, thus I say, o Bhikkhus; for as soon as intention arises, one does the action, be it by body, speech or mind.

References

Maha Thera Nyanatiloka. Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines, Buddhist Publication Society, first edition 1952.