Ignorance (avijja) or ‘not knowing things as they truly are’ is the chief cause of kamma. “Dependent on Ignorance arise Volitional Activities (sankhara)” states the Buddha in Paticca Samuppada or Dependent Origination. Associated with ignorance is its ally craving (tanha), another root cause of kamma. Unwholesome actions are conditioned by these two causes.
All good deeds of a world-ling, though associated with the three wholesome roots of generosity, loving-kindness and knowledge are nevertheless regarded as kamma because the two unwholesome roots of ignorance and craving are dormant in them. No kamma is accumulated by one who has eradicated craving and has understood ‘things as they truly are’.