Upekkha, Upekkhā: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Upekkha means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsEquanimity. One of the ten perfections (paramis) and one of the four "sublime abodes" (brahma vihara).Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English GlossaryF Contemplation rooted in equanimity. The fact to keep on observing with a neutral feeling while experiencing any sensation.
Source: Journey to Nibbana: Patthana DhamaUpekkha means neither pleasant nor unpleasant feeling.
Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrinesupekkhā = tatra-majjhattatā. - Knowledge consisting in e. with regard to all formations, s. visuddhi (VI, 8). - Indulging in e., s. manopavicāra.
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'equanimity', also called tatra-majjhattatā (q.v.), is an ethical quality belonging to the sankhāra-group (s. khandha) and should therefore not be confounded with indifferent feeling (adukkha-m-asukhā vedanā) which sometimes also is called upekkhā (s. vedanā).
upekkhā is one of the 4 sublime abodes (brahma-vihāra, q.v.), and of the factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga, q.v.). See Vis.M. IV, 156ff.
Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikasequanimity; indifferent feeling;
Equanimity effects the balance of the citta and the other cetasikas it arises together with. There is no balance of mind when akusala citta arises, when we are cross, greedy, avaricious or ignorant. Whereas when we are generous, observe morality (sila), develop calm or develop right understanding of nama and rupa, there is balance of mind.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Buddhist Information: A Simple Guide to LifeUpekkha, the last of the four sublime attitudes, is equanimity. Upekkha establishes an even or balanced mind in an unbalanced world with fluctuating fortunes and circumstances: gain and loss, fame and ill repute, praise and blame, pleasure and pain. Upekkha also looks upon all beings impartially, as heirs to the results of their own actions, without attachment or aversion. Upekkha is the serene neutrality of the one who knows.
Source: WikiPedia: BuddhismUpekkhā (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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryupekkhā : (f.) neutrality; equanimity; indifference.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryUpekkhā, & Upekhā (f.) (fr. upa + īkṣ, cp. BSk. upekṣā Divy 483; Jtm 211. On spelling upekhā for upekkhā see Müller P. Gr. 16) “looking on”, hedonic neutrality or indifference, zero point between joy & sorrow (Cpd. 66); disinterestedness, neutral feeling, equanimity. Sometimes equivalent to adukkham-asukha-vedanā “feeling which is neither pain nor pleasure”. See detailed discussion of term at Cpd. 229—232, & cp. Dhs. trsln. 39.—Ten kinds of upekkhā are enumd. at DhsA. 172 (cp. Dhs. trsln. 48; Hardy, Man. Buddhism 505).—D 138 (°sati-parisuddhi purity of mindfulness which comes of disinterestedness cp. Vin. III, 4; Dhs. 165 & Dhs. trslnn. 50), 251; II, 279 (twofold); III, 50, 78, 106, 224 sq. , 239, 245 (six °upavicāras), 252, 282; M. I, 79, 364; III 219; S. IV, 71, 114 sq. , V. 209 sq. (°indriya); A I 42; 81 (°sukha), 256 (°nimitta); III, 185, 291 (°cetovimutti); IV, 47 sq. , 70 sq. , 300, 443; V, 301, 360; Sn. 67, 73, 972, 1107, (°satisaṃsuddha); Nd1 501 = Nd2 166; Ps. I, 8, 36, 60, 167, 177; Pug. 59 (°sati); Nett 25, 97 (°dhātu), 121 sq.; Vbh. 12, 15 (°indriya), 54 (id.), 69, 85 (°dhātu), 228, 324, 326 (°sambojjhaṅga), 381 (°upavicāra); Dhs. 150, 153, 165, 262, 556, 1001, 1278, 1582; Vism. 134 (°sambojjhaṅga, 5 conditions of), 148 (°ânubrūhanā), 160 (def. & tenfold), 317 (°bhāvanā), 319 (°brahmavihāra), 325 (°vihārin), 461; SnA 128; Sdhp. 461. (Page 150)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Upekkha Sambojjhanga, Upekkha Sukha, Upekkha Vedana, Upekkha-nana, Upekkhaka, Upekkhaka Sutta, Upekkhana, Upekkhati, Upekkhavant.
Ends with: Anupekkha, Sankharupekkha, Saykharupekkha, Vipassanupekkha.
Full-text (+21): Brahmavihara, Akusala Vipakacitta, Kusalavipaka Citta, Indifferent Feeling, Vedana, Kiriya Citta, Changa, Sankharamajjhattata, Upekkhana, Sankharupekkha, Vipassanupekkha, Upekkha Sukha, Majjhatta, Upekkhindriya, Majjhattata, Moha Mula Citta, Indriya, Paramita, Upekkhaka, Jhana.
Relevant text
Search found 54 books and stories containing Upekkha, Upekkhā, Ūpekkhā; (plurals include: Upekkhas, Upekkhās, Ūpekkhās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
(10) Tenth Pāramī: The Perfection of Equanimity (upekkhā-pāramī) < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]
Sakka’s Question (6-8): On the Practice of Meditation < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
Part 11 - Classification of the Pāramīs < [Chapter 7 - On Miscellany]
Cetasikas (by Nina van Gorkom)
Appendix 1 - Appendix To Chapter 2 < [Appendix And Glossary]
Chapter 2 - Feeling < [Part I - The Universals]
Chapter 30 - Equanimity < [Part IV - Beautiful Cetasikas]
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa) (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
Factor 11 - Upekkha (equminity) < [Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)]
Factor 2 - Vedana (feeling, sensation) < [Chapter 4 - Cetasikas Associated With Both Good And Bad Cittas (mind)]
A Manual of Abhidhamma (by Nārada Thera)
The Procedure of Retention < [Chapter IV - Analysis of Thought-Processes]
Beautiful Consciousness of the Sensuous Sphere < [Chapter I - Different Types of Consciousness]
Form Sphere Consciousness < [Chapter I - Different Types of Consciousness]
The Buddhist Path to Enlightenment (study) (by Dr Kala Acharya)
1.7. Enlightenment Factor of Equanimity < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]
1(b). The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]
3. Outline of this Research < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
The Shining-Through of the Divine (by Ajahn Sumedho)