Difference between revisions of "Upekkha"
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| − | 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 | + | 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. |
[[File:Monk and cow.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Monk and cow.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
==Pali literary contexts== | ==Pali literary contexts== | ||
| − | In the | + | In the Pali Canon and post-canonical [[atthakatha|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 (''[[ | + | * It is one of the Four Sublime States (''[[Brahmavihara]]''), which are purifying mental states capable of counteracting the [[kilesa|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 [[Samādhi|concentration]], ''upekkha'' arises as the quintessential factor of material absorption, present in the third and fourth ''[[ | + | * In the development of meditative [[Samādhi|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 [[Seven Factors of Enlightenment]] (''bojjhanga''), ''upekkha'' is the ultimate factor to be developed. | ||
| − | * In the [[Theravada]] list of ten | + | * In the [[Theravada]] list of ten paramita (perfections), ''upekkha'' is the last-identified [[Bodhisatta]] practice. |
==Similarity with non-Buddhist Concepts== | ==Similarity with non-Buddhist Concepts== | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
== Contemporary exposition == | == Contemporary exposition == | ||
| − | American Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote: | + | 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 | + | : “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.” |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Meditation]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Theravada Buddhism]] | ||
Revision as of 13:15, 23 February 2013
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
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.”
