Upekṣā

Upekṣā is a central concept in Buddhist philosophy. It is often translated as equanimity. This term refers to a state of mental stability and balance. In Buddhism, upekṣā is considered a wholesome mental factor. It is a quality that helps practitioners on the path toward nirvāna. Practitioners often develop this state through the practice of jhāna, which is a form of deep meditative absorption.

This concept functions as part of several important Buddhist frameworks. It is one of the brahmavihāras, also known as the "virtues of the Brahma realm." These four sublime states are used to purify the mind. They work by counteracting three specific mental defilements: lust, aversion, and ignorance. Additionally, upekṣā is listed among the forty traditional subjects of Buddhist meditation, known as kammaṭṭhāna. It also appears in the Seven Factors of Awakening, where it is described as the ultimate characteristic to develop.

To practice upekṣā, a person must remain unwavering. This means staying neutral when facing the eight vicissitudes of life. These are also called the eight worldly conditions or the eight directions of worldly winds. The eight conditions include loss and gain, good repute and ill-repute, praise and censure, and sorrow and happiness. Instead of being pushed around by these changes, a practitioner maintains a steady mind. This allows them to experience life's ups and downs without losing their internal balance.

In the history of Buddhist thought, upekṣā is placed in several specific lists. In the Theravada tradition, it is part of the ten pāramī, or perfections. Within this list, it is the last identified practice for a bodhisatta. The Pali Canon and various post-canonical commentaries also identify upekṣā as a vital part of spiritual development. These ancient texts explain how the quality helps a person move toward higher states of consciousness.

During deep meditation, upekṣā takes on a very specific role. It is a quintessential factor in material absorption. Specifically, it arises during the third and fourth jhāna states. This shows how the concept is tied to intense concentration. The thinker Buddhaghosa identified ten distinct canonical contexts for upekṣā. These include the destruction of the cankers, which is called "six-factored equanimity." Other contexts include arising from a balancing of energy or from insight.

Buddhaghosa also described other specialized forms of this state. One form is "equanimity of jhāna," which is an impartiality toward even the highest bliss. Another is "purifying equanimity," which is equanimity that is purified of all opposition. He also noted contexts where it arises from investigation or as a specific type of neutrality. These different types show the complexity of how a balanced mind can function in various situations.

It is also helpful to understand what upekṣā is not. Buddhist teachings describe two types of enemies to this state. The "far enemies" are greed and resentment. These are driven by desire and anger, which are the direct opposites of equanimity. There is also a "near enemy" called indifference or apathy. Indifference is tricky because it can look like upekṣā on the surface. However, it subtly opposes the true goal because it lacks the wholesome qualities of true equanimity.