The fourth [of the Five Aggregates] is the Aggregate of Mental Formations (Saṃkhārakkbandha). In this group are included all volitional activities both good and bad. What is generally known as karma (or kamma) comes under this group. The Buddha’s own definition of karma should be remembered here: ‘O bhikkhus, it is volition (cetanā) that I call karma. Having willed, one acts through body, speech and mind.’ Volition is ‘mental construction, mental activity. Its function is to direct the mind in the sphere of good, bad or neutral activities.’ Just like sensations and perceptions, volition is of six kinds, connected with the six internal faculties and the corresponding six objects (both physical and mental) in the external world. Sensations and perceptions are not volitional actions. They do not produce karmic effects. It is only volitional actions— such as attention (manasikāra), will (chanda), determination (adhimokkha), confidence (saddhā), concentration (samādhi), wisdom (Paññā), energy (viriya), desire (rāga), repugnance or hate (paṭigha) ignorance (avjjā), conceit (māna), idea of self (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) etc. —that can produce karmic effects. There are 52 such mental activities which constitute the Aggregate of Mental Formations.