Upekkha

Upekkhā (in devanagari: ऊपेक्खा), is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. As one of the Brahma Vihara (meditative states), it is a pure mental state cultivated on the Buddhist path to nirvāna.

Pali literary contexts

Table: Jhāna-related factors.   first jhāna second jhāna third jhāna fourth jhāna sensuality (kāma), unskillful qualities (akusala dhamma) secluded from, withdrawn       applied thought (vitakka) accom- panies jhāna stilled     sustained thought (vicāra) rapture (pīti) seclusion- born; pervades body samādhi- born; pervades body fades away (as does distress)   pleasure (sukha) pervades physical body aban- doned (as is pain) pure, mindful equanimity (upekkhā- sati- pārisuddhi)   [internal confidence, mental unification] equani- mous, mindful neither pleasure nor pain; permeates body with pure mind Table's sources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). In the Buddha's Words, pp. 296-8 (SN 28:1-9). Somerville, MA: Wisdom Pub. ISBN 081714911. Sri Lanka Buddha Jayanti Tipitaka Series (n.d.). Pañcaṅgika- vaggo (AN 5.1.3.8, in Pali). Retrieved 2007-06-06 from MettaNet-Lanka. Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1997). Samadhanga Sutta: The Factors of Concentration (AN 5.28). Retrieved 2007-06-06 from "Access to Insight".

Buddhist Perfections   10 pāramī dāna sīla nekkhamma paññā viriya khanti sacca adhiṭṭhāna mettā upekkhā      6 pāramitā  dāna sīla kṣānti vīrya dhyāna prajñā   Colored items are in both lists.

In the Pali Canon and post-canonical commentary, upekkha is identified as an important step in one's spiritual development in a number of places:

• It is one of the Four Sublime States (brahmavihara), which are purifying mental states capable of counteracting the defilements of lust, avarice and ignorance. As a brahmavihara, it is also one of the forty traditionally identified subjects of Buddhist meditation (kammatthana).
• In the development of meditative concentration, upekkha arises as the quintessential factor of material absorption, present in the third and fourth jhana states.
• In the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhanga), upekkha is the ultimate factor to be developed.
• In the Theravada list of ten paramita (perfections), upekkha is the last-identified bodhisatta practice.

Similarity with non-Buddhist Concepts

Ataraxia and Apatheia are similar terms in Greek philosophy.

Contemporary exposition

American Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote:

“The real meaning of upekkha is equanimity, not indifference in the sense of unconcern for others. As a spiritual virtue, upekkha means stability in the face of the fluctuations of worldly fortune. It is evenness of mind, unshakeable freedom of mind, a state of inner equipoise that cannot be upset by gain and loss, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, pleasure and pain. Upekkha is freedom from all points of self-reference; it is indifference only to the demands of the ego-self with its craving for pleasure and position, not to the well-being of one's fellow human beings. True equanimity is the pinnacle of the four social attitudes that the Buddhist texts call the 'divine abodes': boundless loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. The last does not override and negate the preceding three, but perfects and consummates them.”

See also

• Ataraxia (Greek concept of mental equanimity)
• Brahma-viharas (divine abodes)
• Jhana (mental absorption)
• Paramita (practices of perfections)

Sources

• Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1995, 1998). Toward a Threshold of Understanding (BPS Newsletter cover essays nos. 30 & 31). Retrieved 15 Jan. 2007 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bps-essay_30.html.

External links

• Equanimity (upekkha) by the Venerable Nyanaponika Thera.
• [1]Equanimity by Gil Fronsdal
• Dharma Dictionary - RangjungYesheWiki - Btang Snyoms/Upeksa
• [2] Equanimity practiced as a part of a Ten day Vipassana course.
• [3] Writings on equanimity in yoga by Shy Sayar.