The Second Treatise on the Perfections – 2871
equanimity regarding formations arises when the insight (
vipassanā
) wisdom
matures. Before its maturity, one needs to make efforts to eradicate conditioned
things (
saṅkhāra-dhamma
). But once the maturity is acquired, it is no longer
necessary to make special efforts to eradicate them. Only an attitude of
indifference is needed for the purpose.
6. Feeling experienced neutrally, without delight or dejection, when taking in a
sense object is equanimity regarding feelings (
vedanupekkhā
).
7. Maintaining a mental equilibrium in developing insight into the nature of
impermanence and other characteristics of the aggregates is called equanimity
resulting from insight (
vipassanupekkhā
).
A brief explanation of insight (
vipassanā
) may be given here in this
connection.
Vi
means “special” and
passana
“seeing.” Hence,
vipassanā
is
“special seeing” or “insight.” Perceiving that there are concrete things,
such as men, women and so on, is an ordinary knowledge, common to all.
It is an understanding based on perception but not a special understanding
based on profound wisdom. Insight is knowing: “In reality there are no
such things as ‘I’ or ‘he.’ What is termed ‘I’ or ‘he’ is just an aggregate of
matter and mind that is subject to destruction and dissolution. These
aggregates are
[1668]
continuously decaying without interruption. There is
no sign of impairment only because every decaying object is being
endlessly replaced by a newly conditioned thing.”
8. Equanimity observed without making efforts to maintain specific neutrality
on these correlated phenomena that are well-balanced in their respective
functions is called equanimity as specific neutrality (
tatra-majjhattupekkhā
).
9. In developing absorption (
jhāna
), remaining indifferent to the sublime bliss
that appears at the third absorption is called equanimity resulting from the third
absorption (
jhānupekkhā
). It is the equanimity that is acquired only in the third
absorption (
jhāna
).
10. Being purified of all opposing factors and requiring no effort in pacifying
them is called equanimity from the purity of the fourth absorption
(
pārisuddhupekkhā
). It is the equanimity in the fourth absorption (
jhāna
) stage
which is free of all opposing factors.
Of these ten, six: equanimity with six factors, equanimity as sublime living,
equanimity as a factor of Awakening, equanimity as specific neutrality,
equanimity resulting from the third absorption and equanimity from the purity