Upeksha, aka: Upekṣā; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Upeksha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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.

The Sanskrit term Upekṣā can be transliterated into English as Upeksa or Upeksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana

Upekṣā (उपेक्षा).—One of the upāyas of a king.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 222. 2.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Upekṣā (उपेक्षा, “equanimity”) refers to one of ten constituents (dravya) of the thirty-seven auxiliaries to enlightenment (bodhipākṣika), according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—Accordingly, “these thirty-seven auxiliaries (bodhipākṣika) have ten things (dravya) as roots (mūla). Equanimity (upekṣā) constitutes the factor-of-enlightenment called equanimity (upekṣā-saṃbodhyaṅga)”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Upekṣā (उपेक्षा, “equanimity”) refers to one of the “four spiritual states” (brahmavihāra) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 16). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., brahma-vihāra and Upekṣā). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Upekṣā also refers to one of the fourty “conditions” (saṃskāra) that are “associated with mind” (citta-samprayukta) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 30).

Upekṣā also refers to one of the “seven factors of awakening” (bodhyaṅga) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 49), itself forming part of the “thirty-seven things on the side of awakening” (bodhipākṣika-dharma).

upekṣā [upekkhā] ('equanimity'): Upekṣā is the state of mind which maintains a balance while experiencing joy or sorrow, fame or infamy, gain or loss. Equanimity takes a person beyond love and hatred. One should meditate upon love, compassion, joy and equanimity. Equanimity is the seventh constituent of enlightenment. It helps one to get rid of attachment and aversion. It can be precisely described as the state which is devoid of pain and pleasure, the state in which no preference is shown to one thing or the other. Its property is indifference.

As one of the bodhyaṅga-s it means one and the same attitude of mind towards all thoughts.

Upekṣā is of ten kinds.

1. ṣaḍaṅgopekṣā -- neither pleasure nor pain from the objects of six-sense organs,
2. brahmavihāropekṣā -- equanimity in extending love to all,
3. bodhyaṅgopekṣā -- equanimity with regard to thoughts,
4. vīryopekṣā -- the same intensity of force of determination,
5. saṃskāropekṣā -- equanimity with regard to all kinds of wisdom essential for the attainment of the paths,
6. vedanopekṣā -- equanimity with regard to feelings,
7. vidarśanopekṣā -- the state of equanimity towards what has been seen,
8. tatramadhyasthopekṣā -- practising all modes of upekṣā,
9. dhyānopekṣā -- equanimity with regard to the impermanency of objects, and
10. pariśuddhi-upekṣā -- equanimity with regard to everything that takes one to emancipation.
     

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

upēkṣā (उपेक्षा).—f (S) Indolent or careless putting off; delaying, dallying: also viewing without concern as light and insignificant: slighting. 2 Overlooking (an offence).

upēkṣā (उपेक्षा).—f Indolent putting off; delaying, overlooking (an offence).

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Upekṣā (उपेक्षा).—

1) Overlooking, disregard, neglect.

2) Indifference, contempt, disdain; कुर्यामुपेक्षां हतजीवितेऽस्मिन् (kuryāmupekṣāṃ hatajīvite'smin) R.14.65.

3) Leaving, quitting.

4) Endurance, patience.

5) Dissent.

6) Neglect, trick or deceit (one of the 7 expedients in war).

7) A sort of भावना (bhāvanā) in Yoga, q. v.

8) Regard, consideration.

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