Upekkha is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. The etymological meaning of the term Upekkha is discerning rightly, viewing justly or looking impartially, that is without attachment or aversion, without favor or disfavor.

 

Upekkha or equanimity is necessary, especially for laymen who have to live in an ill-balanced world amidst fluctuating circumstances.

 

slights and insults are the common lot of mankind. The world is constituted that the good and the virtuous are often subject to unjust criticism and attack. It is heroic to maintain a balanced mind in such circumstances.

 

Loss and gain, fame and infamy, praise and blame, pain and happiness are eight worldly conditions that affect all humanity. Most people are perturbed when affected by such favorable or unfavorable states. One is elated when one is praised, and depressed when blamed and reviled. He is wise, says the Buddha, who, admist such vicissitudes of life, stand unmoved like unto a firm rock, exercising perfect equanimity.

 

The Buddha’s exemplary life offers us worldlings an excellent example of equanimity.

 

There was no religious teacher in the world who was so severely criticized, attacked, insulted and reviled as the Buddha, and yet none so highly praised, honored and revered as the Buddha.

 

Once when He went in quest of alms, He was called an outcast by an impertinent Brahmin. He calmly endured the insult and explained to him that it is not birth that makes one an outcast but an ignoble character. The Brahmin was converted.

 

Inviting Him to a house for alms, a certain man entertained the Buddha with the filthiest language current in His time. He was called ‘swine’, 'brute’, 'ox’ etc. But he was not offended. He did not retaliate. Calmly He questioned his host what he would do when guests visited his house. He replied that he would prepare a feast to entertain them.

 

"Well, what would you do if they did not partake of it?” questioned the Buddha.

 

"In that case, we ourselves would partake of the feast.”

 

"Well, good brother, you have invited me to your house for alms. You have entertained me with a torrent of abuse. I do not accept it. Please take it back,” calmly replied the Buddha. The offender’s character was completely transformed.

 

"Retaliate not. Be silent as a cracked gong when you are abused by others. If you do so, I deem that you have already attained Nibbana although you have not realized Nibbana.” Such is the advice of the Buddha.