THE CULTIVATION OF EQUANIMITY
Equanimity is varyingly described as:
A calmness of mind, a state of inner equipoise rooted in insight that cannot be upset by gain and loss, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, pleasure and pain, success and failure, and accept them all with detachment, equally, for oneself and for others. It is to regard every sentient being as an equal. It is a clear-minded tranquil state of mind; not being overpowered by delusions, mental dullness or agitation, with composure as one of its significant characteristic.
It 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 but not to the well-being of one's fellow human beings.
How do we establish this beautiful mental state constantly in our consciousness?
The Visuddhimagga provide a brief description, some overlapping, on the classification of the ten kinds of Equanimity. In it, we will notice the use of the whole spectrum of the Buddhist teaching, doctrines and practices in the cultivation of equanimity.
The Equanimity stated thus are; Equanimity about Insight, Equanimity about Formation, Equanimity of Energy, Equanimity as a Feeling, Equanimity as Specific Neutrality, Equanimity as a Divine Abiding, Equanimity of Jhana, Six Factor Equanimity, Purification Equanimity and Equanimity as an Enlightenment Factor.
Equanimity about Insight
This equanimity arises when we are able to understand clearly the true nature of reality, i.e. a complete understanding of the three mark of existence, namely Impermanence, Suffering and Not-self. The practice of Insight meditation is usually used to gain an in-depth knowledge into the true nature of the three marks by contemplation on their characteristics. When a person sees with insight knowledge the three characteristic, then there is neutrality in him about further investigating the impermanence etc., of formations. This neutrality is called the Equanimity about Insight.
Equanimity about Formation
This signified the wisdom which looks with detached indifference upon phenomena that come within our view, free from clinging. When the Equanimity of Insight is established, the Equanimity about Formation will also be established as both are neutrality which comes about through the different functions of investigation and about clinging on to formation respectively.
Equanimity of Energy
It is a name for the equanimity otherwise known as neither over-strenuous nor over-lax energy i.e. the balanced application of energy by not over exertion or laxity.
Equanimity as a Feeling
The feeling named ‘neither-pain-or-pleasure’ and is also called ‘equanimity’ is indicated as a feeling opposing both pain and pleasure and not the mere absence of pain and pleasure. It is characterize as experiencing what is contrary to both the desirable and the undesirable. This means it is a neutral feeling which is neither painful nor pleasant.
The neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling is established in the fourth Jhana when the faculties of bodily pain, mental grief, bodily bliss (pleasure), and mental joy have all been abandoned. It can be understood that with the abandoning of these four faculties, greed and hate are also abandoned, as the conditions for their arising have been removed. For as pleasure is a condition for joy, and joy for greed; pain is a condition for grief and grief for hate; so with the removal of pain, grief, bliss and joy, both greed and hate are also abandoned and with it, the root causes of our suffering.
Both Energy (Right Endeavour) and Feeling are mental factors.
Equanimity as Specific Neutrality
This is the mental factor responsible for maintaining balance among the component factors in the beautiful (Sobhana) state of consciousness. The commentaries define it as the ‘equal efficiency of conascent states’. According to the Abhidhamma, Specific Neutrality is present in every beautiful state of consciousness, giving balance and harmony to the virtuous mind. As a particular mental factor, it can assume different forms in different context. It appears as five other forms of Equanimity in the ten kinds of Equanimity; namely in the Six Factored, Divine Abiding, Purification, Jhana and Enlightenment.
Six Factored Equanimity
The unbiased response, free of attachment and aversion towards pleasant and unpleasant, desirable or undesirable sense objects experienced through the six senses doors without abandoning the natural state of our origin purity.
The awareness that can guards the sense doors and prevents a conditional reaction to the feeling that arises from our sensory experiences is called Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of what is happening to us and inside us during moments of our experiences. The practice of mindfulness gives us time to examine and recognize the real nature of our experiences as it arises in our consciousness without reacting to those experiences based on our existing mental conditioning. As a result of mindfulness, we are able to respond to our experiences in a skillful, unbiased, detach way whether objects are pleasant or unpleasant, desirable or undesirable.
Equanimity as a Divine Abiding
A good understanding of the Buddhist interpretation of kamma is essential for this state of equanimity to be established. The Buddhist notion of kamma is primarily focused on the cause and effect of moral actions in this life. The Blessed One did comments that; ‘there is freewill, there is retribution’. When we have a deep understand and realization through meditation that all beings are what they are now due to the result of their pass actions, words and deeds; we will eventually come to accept all beings the way they are. This is a socially directed detached state, a serene neutral state transcending approval and resentment, a sublime attitude of impartiality which looks upon all beings equally without preferences or discrimination.
Equanimity of Jhana
It is a name for equanimity producing impartiality towards even the highest bliss. It watches things as they arise; it sees fairly, see without partiality, it is a form of Specific Neutrality also present in all wholesome state of consciousness, in access concentration and also in the two lower Jhanas. A possessor of the third Jhana is said to ‘dwell in equanimity’ since he possesses equanimity that is clear, abundant and sound.
Purification Equanimity
This is the equanimity which purifies the remaining mental factors which obstruct the fourth Jhana stage. At this Jhana stage, mindfulness is also said to be cleared, purified, clarified, by equanimity and not by anything else. It is to be understood as Specific Neutrality in meaning.
Equanimity as an Enlightenment Factor
This is the balanced frame of mind developed in the practice of the path to liberation. Equanimity is the last factor in the 7 factors of enlightenment, essential for the cultivation of enlightenment. The remaining enlightenment factors are; Mindfulness, Investigation, Energy, Rapture, Tranquility and Concentration.
Conclusion
True equanimity is the pinnacle of the four social attitudes that the Buddhist texts call the 'four immeasurables': boundless loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. Equanimity does not override and negate the preceding three, but perfects and consummates them, in turn; loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy also fully pervade perfect equanimity.
Perfect Equanimity is difficult to cultivate and even more difficult to established, a possessor of it, is indeed a noble being when this beautiful mental state become ever present at every moment of his life.
The understanding of perfect equanimity is already difficult for layperson, needless to mention cultivate and established. To cultivate, one has to acquire the understanding of perfect equanimity. At the level of great bodhisavattas, it takes 3 kotis to established.
Amitabha
Nothing comes easy. It is precisely because of that, that much emphasis is placed on such value as perseverance (Energy) in the Buddhist teaching. As long as we continue to practice what is taught, we should not be discouraged if we did not manage to achieve what we set out to cultivated. If the end result makes us a better and happy person, it is already an achievement in itself.
We all know that there are many different schools of thought in Buddhism, with each emphasizing different methods to use to reach enlightenment. Which form we choose, and is comfortable with, will depend on the individual’s disposition, liking and mental makeup.
It is precisely that many feels that it is almost impossible for anyone to achieve enlightenment in just one life time, that the Pure Land School of Amitabha Buddha is so popular with the masses. In a nutshell, one need not have to be well verse in the Holy Scriptures. What is needed is a daily and continuous chanting of the Mantra of Amitabha Buddha (It is a form of Concentration Meditation) throughout our life. At the moment of our death, the Buddha Amitabha will descend and guide us to the Pure Land where we will continue with our cultivation uninterrupted until Enlightenment is achieved.
Maybe Amitayus48 will be able to provide more details on the Pure Land School?
Oh Aik TC u r a buddhsit.
Originally posted by Aik TC:
It is precisely that many feels that it is almost impossible for anyone to achieve enlightenment in just one life time, that the Pure Land School of Amitabha Buddha is so popular with the masses. In a nutshell, one need not have to be well verse in the Holy Scriptures. What is needed is a daily and continuous chanting of the Mantra of Amitabha Buddha (It is a form of Concentration Meditation) throughout our life. At the moment of our death, the Buddha Amitabha will descend and guide us to the Pure Land where we will continue with our cultivation uninterrupted until Enlightenment is achieved.
Maybe Amitayus48 will be able to provide more details on the Pure Land School?
Actually it might not be that easy also. As stated in Amitabha Sutra:-
"Shariputra, if one has few good roots, blessings, and virtues, one cannot be born in that land. "
We cannot say we just recite the name and continue to commit evil deeds. it won't work. There's also the Three Conditions. Each conditions bring one higher up the pureland level.
The first of the Five Guidelines is the Three Conditions, which were related by the Buddha in the Visualization Sutra. He explained that the Three Conditions were the true causes of pure karma for all Buddhas of the past, present, and future.
In the Amitabha Sutra, the Buddha further explained that to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, we have to be "good men and good women." The standard for this is the Three Conditions; thus, they are a crucial part of our practice, an integral component of rebirth in the Pure Land.
To achieve this rebirth, we need belief, vows, and practice—leading a moral life and chanting Amituofo mindfully.
The First Condition:
The Second Condition:
The Third Condition:
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StarDust....
Blessed you.
sinweiy....
What are the other four Guidelines by the way?
Originally posted by Aik TC:
sinweiy....
What are the other four Guidelines by the way?
Amituofo!
The Five Guidelines
The Five Guidelines form the foundation and are the way we progress in our practice. They are first, the Three Conditions; second, the Six Harmonies; third, the Threefold Learning; fourth, the Six Paramitas; and fifth, the Ten Great Vows. We begin our practice with the first guideline of the Three Conditions and gradually progress from there.
The guidelines were extracted by Master Chin Kung from the five Pure Land sutras, which consist of three sutras, two chapters from sutras, and one treatise. The Pure Land sutras and treatise are:
http://www.abrc.org.au/page27.html
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sinweiy....
Thanks, will certainly be visiting the Amitabha Buddhist Retreat Centre website for more info., in future.
Hi Aik TC, nice to meet u.
I learning abt buddhism too.
StarDust....
Great, hope you do put to good use what you have pick up on this site for your personal spiritual development as well.
Originally posted by Aik TC:
StarDust....
Great, hope you do put to good use what you have pick up on this site for your personal spiritual development as well.
OK thanks.
I leaving the forum now.
Not coming here to post anymore.
BB . thanks for ur help.
Originally posted by -StarDust-:I leaving the forum now.
Not coming here to post anymore.
BB . thanks for ur help.
O.o sure bo. Are you comming back with pepper ?