Difference between revisions of "Upekkha"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (1 revision: link fix) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Upekkhā''' (in devanagari: ऊपेक्खा), is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. As one of the | + | '''[[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 Pali Canon and post-canonical [[atthakatha|commentary]], ''upekkha'' is identified as an important step in one's spiritual development in a number of places: | + | In the [[Pali Canon]] and post-canonical [[atthakatha|commentary]], ''[[upekkha]]'' is identified as an important step in one's {{Wiki|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 [[kilesa|defilements]] of lust, avarice and ignorance. As a ''[[Brahmavihara]]'', it is also one of the forty traditionally identified subjects of Buddhist meditation (''[[Kammatthana]]''). | + | * 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 ''[[Jhana]]'' states. | + | * 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 paramita (perfections), ''upekkha'' is the last-identified [[Bodhisatta]] practice. | + | * 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 15: | Line 15: | ||
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 [[Loving-kindness]], compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. The last does not override and negate the preceding three, but perfects and consummates them.” | + | : “The real meaning of [[upekkha]] is equanimity, not indifference in the sense of unconcern for others. As a {{Wiki|spiritual}} {{Wiki|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}} | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
[[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | [[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | ||
[[Category:Pali terminology]] | [[Category:Pali terminology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Meditation]] | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 16 July 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.”
