Upekkhā — Equanimity

This is part 11 of a course going through the similes and metaphors of the Buddha. Course home 1: Introduction to Imagery in the EBTs2: Taṇhā — Craving3: Rāga — Passion4: Vyāpāda — Hatred and Aversion5: Thīnamiddha — Sloth and Torpor6: Uddhaccakukkuca — Restlessness and Worry7: Vicikicchā — Doubt8: Vedanā — Feelings9: Vedanānupassanā — Investigating Feelings10: Sukha — Happiness11: Upekkhā — Equanimity12: Yathābhūtañāṇadassana — Knowledge and Vision of the Way Things Are13: Vimutti — Liberation14: Upādāna – Grasping15: Sakkāyadiṭṭhi - Self View16: Sammādiṭṭhi - Right View17: Saṅkhāra — Activity18: Vitakka — Thought19: Yoniso Manasikāra — Wise Attention20: Vipassanā — Insight21: Samatha & Vipassanā — Tranquility & Insight22: Samādhi — Immersion23: Viveka — Seclusion24: Vossagga — Letting Go25: Suññatā — Emptiness26: Conclusion

Illustration by Ayya Vimalayani aka "Ven Yodha"

The culmination of meditation, upekkhā allows us to be peaceful and impartial in any situation: a real gift to everyone.

Textbook

Read Chapter 10 of:

From Craving to Liberation: Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses Volume 1 – Bhikkhu Anālayo (.pdf)

Suttas

AN 8.6 Paṭhama Loka Dhamma Sutta: World (2) (.pdf)

AN 4.196 Sāḷha Sutta: With Sāḷha

AN 8.44 Vāseṭṭha Sutta: With Vāseṭṭha [on the Sabbath] (.pdf)

Thag 6.2 Tekicchakāri Theragāthā: Tekicchakāri

Similes

Hecker similes: 29, 37, 43 and 80.

Reflections

How do the similes make clear the distinction between upekkhā and indifference? How do they make upekkhā seem noble?

Continue to Part 12, Yathābhūtañāṇadassana — Knowledge and Vision of the Way Things Are

...or go back to part 10