In other words, it seems basically that the message is that the intention to kill is never not afflicted but is exclusively unwholesome, without exception.This set of definitions keys the kamma-pathas quite precisely into the Abhidhamma system of classes of consciousness. The fact that intention to kill is accompanied by only painful feeling and has as its roots hate and delusion means that it can only be constituted by two of the standard list of eightynine classes of consciousness: the two classes of sense-sphere consciousness rooted in hate and accompanied by unhappiness.
The possibility that the intention to kill might ever be constituted by one or other of the eight classes of sense-sphere consciousness rooted in lack of greed, lack of hate, and lack of ignorance is apparently simply excluded. In other words the intention to kill is understood as exclusively unwholesome, and the possibility that it might ever be something wholesome prompted by thoughts of compassion is not countenanced.
In the Mahayana, at times we see that a bodhisattva may - or even must - perform a lower non-virtue if necessary from a higher point of view.
Patrul Rinpoche, here (https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-ma ... iderations), says things like, "Even though you may hold vows of ethical conduct, if some sentient beings would be greatly aided and benefited solely by your committing a negative action, then, for the sake of others, and since it would be a training in spiritual accomplishment, you should act, committing any of the ten negative actions."
Other masters say similar things, for example Longchenpa though I will not take the time to find a citation here at the moment.
My question is: is this something that finds support within the Abhidharma materials in the Mahayana traditions in a way that is simply not present in the Theravada Abhidharma material? Are there any citations anyone knows of in Mahayana Abhidharma material that discusses this point? I'm not really looking for writings from various masters (Longchenpa, Patrul, Jigme Lingpa, etc) but rather ideally looking for more 'primary' or close to primary sources, if that makes sense.
I hope the intent of my post is clear. Thank you.