Upekṣā (Sanskrit/Devanāgarī script: उपेक्षा; Pali: Upekkhā), is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Tranquillity (also spelled tranquility or called equanimity) is the quality of calm experienced in places with mainly natural features and activities free The Tibetan equivalent is བཏང་སྙོམས་ btang snyoms. Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European This is a purifying mental state cultivated through meditation on the Buddhist path to prajñā (wisdom) and bodhi (enlightenment). Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness In the Pali Canon In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways frequently centering on concentrated insight Wisdom is a concept of personal gaining of Knowledge, Understanding, Experience, discretion and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity Bodhi (बोधि is both the Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated into English as "enlightenment The analogous term in Greek philosophy is ataraxia. Ataraxia (Ἀταραξία is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and Epicurus for a limpid state characterized by freedom from worry or any

Contents 1 Pali literary contexts 2 Contemporary exposition 3 See also 4 References 5 Sources 6 External links

Pali literary contexts

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. Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries Bodhisattva and the Art of Giving The quality of giving is one of the virtues perfected over numerous lifetimes by Shakyamuni Buddha in his Bodhisattva Nekkhamma is a Pali word generally translated as "renunciation" while also conveying more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" In the Pali Canon In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways frequently centering on concentrated insight See also Bodhipakkhiya dhamma (Qualities conducive to Enlightenment Four Right Exertions Five Faculties Kshanti or kṣanti ( Skt) or khanti ( Pali) has been translated as patience forbearance and forgiveness Sacca is a Pāli word meaning "real" or "true" In early Buddhist literature sacca is often found in the context of the " Pali Canon texts While adhiṭṭhāna appears sporadically in the early Pali Canon, various late-canonical and post-canonical accounts of the Buddha Mettā meditation the practice of loving-kindness Mettā signifies Friendship and Non-violence as well as "a strong wish for the happiness of others" Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries Bodhisattva and the Art of Giving The quality of giving is one of the virtues perfected over numerous lifetimes by Shakyamuni Buddha in his Bodhisattva Kshanti or kṣanti ( Skt) or khanti ( Pali) has been translated as patience forbearance and forgiveness See also Bodhipakkhiya dhamma (Qualities conducive to Enlightenment Four Right Exertions Five Faculties Dhyāna in Hinduism See also Dhyana in Hinduism In Hinduism dhyana is considered to be an instrument to gain self knowledge separating maya from In the Pali Canon In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways frequently centering on concentrated insight

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. Atthakatha ( Pali for explanation commentary refers to Pali-language Theravadin Buddhist commentaries to the canonical Theravadin Tipitaka. The four Brahmavihāras are a series of virtues and Buddhist meditation practices designed to cultivate those virtues As a brahmavihara, it is also one of the forty traditionally identified subjects of Buddhist meditation (kammatthana). Buddhist meditation encompasses a variety of Meditation techniques that develop Mindfulness, concentration, tranquility and insight In Buddhism, kammaṭṭhāna is a Pali word (Sanskrit karmasthana) which literally means the place of work, figuratively it
• In the development of meditative concentration, upekkha arises as the quintessential factor of material absorption, present in the third and fourth jhana states. Samadhi ( Sanskrit: sa समाधि is a Hindu and Buddhist technical term that usually denotes higher levels of concentrated meditation or Dhyāna in Hinduism See also Dhyana in Hinduism In Hinduism dhyana is considered to be an instrument to gain self knowledge separating maya from
• In the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhanga), upekkha is the ultimate factor to be developed. Canonical sources In the Suttapitaka 's Samyutta Nikaya, the bojjhangas refer to wholesome mundane factors leading to enlightenment
• In the Theravada list of ten paramita (perfections), upekkha is the last-identified bodhisatta practice. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries In the Buddhist context a bodhisattva (बोधिसत्त्व bodhisattva;; Vietnamese Bồ Tát; बोधिसत्त bodhisatta

Contemporary exposition

American Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote:

“The real meaning of upekkha is equanimity, not indifference in the sense of unconcern for others. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Bhikkhu Bodhi (b 1944 NYC) born Jeffrey Block, is an American Buddhist monk, ordained in Sri Lanka and currently teaching in the As a spiritual virtue, upekkha means equanimity 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. MIND ( Moving In New Directions) (est 1975 is an alternative education high school in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Freedom, or the idea of being free is a broad concept that 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 four Brahmavihāras are a series of virtues and Buddhist meditation practices designed to cultivate those virtues Mettā meditation the practice of loving-kindness Mettā signifies Friendship and Non-violence as well as "a strong wish for the happiness of others" Karuṇā ( Sanskrit; Pāli) is generally translated as " Compassion " or "pity Mudita is a Buddhist ( Pali and Sanskrit) word meaning rejoicing in others' good fortune The last does not override and negate the preceding three, but perfects and consummates them. ”^[1]

See also

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

References

1. ^ Bodhi (1998).

Sources

• Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1995, 1998). The four Brahmavihāras are a series of virtues and Buddhist meditation practices designed to cultivate those virtues Dhyāna in Hinduism See also Dhyana in Hinduism In Hinduism dhyana is considered to be an instrument to gain self knowledge separating maya from Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism 's teachings on the paramitas can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries Ataraxia (Ἀταραξία is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and Epicurus for a limpid state characterized by freedom from worry or any Bhikkhu Bodhi (b 1944 NYC) born Jeffrey Block, is an American Buddhist monk, ordained in Sri Lanka and currently teaching in the Toward a Threshold of Understanding (BPS Newsletter cover essays nos. The Buddhist Publication Society is a charity whose goal is to explain and spread the doctrine of the Buddha. 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.
• Dharma Dictionary - RangjungYesheWiki - Btang Snyoms/Upeksa

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