Is there any relevant difference between ajjhupekkhati and upekkhati?
1 Like
I’m very interested to know the nuances of this myself, as I’m not sure how upekkha in 3rd and 4th jhana functions exactly. Presumably the same as upekkha-bodhi-anga (awakening factor). And then, how does that differ from upekkha as a brahmavihara?
The typical explantion of “looking on equanimously” doesn’t quite give a complete picture I suspect.
PTS has:
upekkhati = upa + ikkhati
ajjhupekkhati = adhi + upa + ikkhati
Ikkhati [fr. īkṣ] to look J v.153; ThA 147; DhsA 172.
Upekkhati [upa + īkṣ] to look on, to be disinterested or indifferent Sn 911; Nd1 328; J vi.294.
Ajjhupekkhati [adhi + upa + ikṣ; cp. BSk. adhyupekṣati] 1. to look on A i.257; Miln 275.
-
to look on intently or with care, to oversee, to take care of A iv.45 (kaṭṭhɔaggi, has to be looked after); PvA 149 (sisaŋ colaŋ vā).
-
to look on indifferently to be indifferent to neglect Vin ii.78 = iii.162, cp. J i.147; M i.155 ii.223; A iii.194, 435; J v.229; DhA iv.125.