Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Discussion of Abhidhamma and related Commentaries
SarathW
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Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

Why indifference is worse than pleasure.
Why is that?
===============================

A Buddhist monk said in a video.
1- Wrong view is worse than disconnected with wrong view
2-Unprompted is worse than prompted
3-indifference is worse than pleasure.

I understand 1 and 2 but not the 3.

==================================
1. One consciousness, unprompted, accompanied
by pleasure, and connected with wrong view,
2. One consciousness, prompted, accompanied by
pleasure, and connected with wrong view,
3. One consciousness, unprompted, accompanied
by pleasure, and disconnected with wrong view,
4. One consciousness, prompted, accompanied by
pleasure, and disconnected with wrong view,
5. One consciousness, unprompted, accompanied
29
by indifference, and connected with wrong view,
6. One consciousness, prompted, accompanied by
indifference, and connected with wrong view,
7. One consciousness, unprompted, accompanied
by indifference, and disconnected with wrong view,
8. One consciousness, prompted, accompanied by
indifference, and disconnected with wrong view,
These eight types of consciousness are rooted in
Attachment.
______
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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JeffR
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by JeffR »

I can't be sure, but my short answer based on my own reasoning is that pleasure can be kusala (wholesome), while indifference is always akusala (unwholesome).
Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.
:Vibh 945
SarathW
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

What about the Upekkha in Jhana?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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ganegaar
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by ganegaar »

Interesting, may I know the Pali term for "indifference" please? or text in pali that lead to this translation.
Sīlepatiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṃ paññañca bhāvayaṃ;
Ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṃ vijaṭaye jaṭanti.
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Nicolas
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by Nicolas »

The Pali word for "indifference" here is actually "Upekkhā".
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ganegaar
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by ganegaar »

JeffR wrote: while indifference is always akusala (unwholesome).
But then, according to above "Uppekkha" is always akusala? does not sound right to me.

And "indifference" is a bit strange word to use to translate "uppekha", i feel "equanimity" would give a better meaning though still may not be the exact meaning.
Sīlepatiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṃ paññañca bhāvayaṃ;
Ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṃ vijaṭaye jaṭanti.
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mikenz66
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by mikenz66 »

I'm not sure exactly what the OP is getting at, but I suspect it's not Upekkha.

In the satipatthana sutta there are three kinds of feeling, pleasant, unpleasant, neither unpleasant or pleasant.
... sukhaṃ vā vedanaṃ vedayamāno ‘sukhaṃ vedanaṃ vedayāmī’ti pajānāti. (1)
Dukkhaṃ vā vedanaṃ vedayamāno ‘dukkhaṃ vedanaṃ vedayāmī’ti pajānāti. (2)
Aduk­kha­ma­su­khaṃ vā vedanaṃ vedayamāno ‘aduk­kha­ma­su­khaṃ vedanaṃ vedayāmī’ti pajānāti. (3)
https://suttacentral.net/pi/mn10/44.124-
has a pleasant feeling they clearly know ‘I have a pleasant feeling’. (1)
When they have a painful feeling they clearly know ‘I have a painful feeling’ . (2)
When they have a neutral feeling they clearly know ‘I have a neutral feeling’ . (3)
https://suttacentral.net/en/mn10/60.18-
Neutral (neither unpleasant or pleasant) is not equanimity (upekkha).

:anjali:
Mike
SarathW
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

Immoral Consciousness _______
§ 4. Tattha katamaü Kàmàvacaraü?
1 Somanassa-sahagataü, diññhigatasampayuttaü,
asaïkhàrikam ekaü,
2. Somanassa-sahagataü, diññhigatasampayuttaü,
sasa¤khàrikam ekaü,
3. Somanassa-sahagataü diññhigatavippayuttaü
asaïkhàrikam ekaü,
4. Somanassa-sahagataü diññhigatavippayuttaü
sasaïkhàrikam ekaü,
5. Upekkhàsahagataü, diññhigatasampayuttaü
asaïkhàrikam ekaü,
6. Upekkhàsahagataü, diññhigatasampayuttaü,
sasaïkhàrikam ekaü,
7. Upekkhàsahagataü, diññhigatavippayuttaü,
asaïkhàrikam ekaü,
8. Upekkhàsahagataü, diññhigatavippayuttaü,
sasaïkhàrikam ekan’ ti.
imàni aññha’pi Lobhasahagatacittàni nàma.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/abhidhamma.pdf
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

I'm not sure exactly what the OP is getting at, but I suspect it's not Upekkha.
Each immoral consciousness got different weight.
Upekkha is worse than the Somanassa
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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mikenz66
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by mikenz66 »

Bhikkhu Bodhi's note on verse 1 §4 Consciousness Rooted in Greed (lobham3lacittani)— 8
The Abhidhamma describes four cittas rooted in greed that are ac-
companied by joy. The other four cittas in this class are accompanied
by equanimity (upekkhasahagata). The word upekkha is often used in
the Pali texts to signify the lofty spiritual quality of equanimity or impar-
tiality, the state of mind which cannot be swayed by biases and prefer-
ences. Here, however, the word is used simply to mean neutral feeling,
a mental feeling which leans neither towards gladness nor dejection. In
contrast to pleasant and painful feelings, which experience the object in
diametrically opposed ways, upekkh± experiences the object in a neu-
tral manner. Thus upekkha or equanimous feeling is also called
adukkhamasukha vedana, neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
:anjali:
Mike
SarathW
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

Thanks Mike
The question is why indifference is worse than pleasure.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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ganegaar
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by ganegaar »

mikenz66 wrote:Bhikkhu Bodhi's note on verse 1 §4 Consciousness Rooted in Greed (lobham3lacittani)— 8
Thus upekkha or equanimous feeling is also called
adukkhamasukha vedana, neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.
But upekkha is a quality of mind, (to put in context, consider: Metta, Mudita, Karuna, Upekkha)
Vedana is a sensation felt by a faculty such as skin, eye, ear,..,(To put in context, consider Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara, Vinnana).

so, as i understand from above reference, the uppekha quality is associated with neutral feelings, but that does not mean adukhamasukha vedana may always result in the mental quality of Upekkha.,
or am i mistaken here?
Sīlepatiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṃ paññañca bhāvayaṃ;
Ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṃ vijaṭaye jaṭanti.
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JeffR
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by JeffR »

ganegaar wrote:
JeffR wrote: while indifference is always akusala (unwholesome).
But then, according to above "Uppekkha" is always akusala? does not sound right to me.

And "indifference" is a bit strange word to use to translate "uppekha", i feel "equanimity" would give a better meaning though still may not be the exact meaning.
I didn't know Uppekkha was being translated as indifference in my reasoning. Agree with your point; from my understanding uppekha (equanimity, harmonious feeling) is kusala, unless uppekha conveys different meanings in differing contexts. I would think that harmonious equanimity is of greater kusala than pleasure (sukkha), so have the same question as the OP. Although in the list of the OP, all examples are with wrong view which explains being rooted in attachment.
Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.
:Vibh 945
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ganegaar
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by ganegaar »

I am reading some reference from Rerukhane Chandrawimala thero, and it states a Uppekha mind is stronger, more "potent" than a Somanassa mind, so I suppose that explains the OP.
Sīlepatiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṃ paññañca bhāvayaṃ;
Ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṃ vijaṭaye jaṭanti.
SarathW
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Re: Why indifference is worse than pleasure?

Post by SarathW »

unless uppekha conveys different meanings in differing contexts.


=============
42. Upekkhà—literally, means seeing (ikkhati) impartially
(upa = yuttito). It is viewing an object with a balanced
mind. Atthasàlinã states:—“This is impartiality
(majjhattaü) in connection with the object, and implies a
discriminative knowledge (paricchindanakaü ¤àõaü).”
This explanation applies strictly to Upekkhà found in
Sobhana consciousness accompanied by wisdom. Upekkhà
found in the Akusalas and Ahetukas is just neutral feeling
without the least trace of any discriminative knowledge. In
the Kàmàvacara Sobhanas, too, there may arise that neutral
feeling, as in the case of one hearing the Dhamma without
any pleasurable interest, and also a subtle form of Upekkhà
that views the object with deliberate impartiality and discriminative
knowledge, as in the case of a wise person who
hears the Dhamma with a critical and impartial mind.
Upekkhà of the Jhàna consciousness, in particular, is
of ethical and psychological importance. It certainly is not
the ordinary kind of Upekkhà, generally found in the Akusala
consciousness which comes naturally to an evil-doer.
The Jhàna Upekkhà has been developed by a strong willpower.
Realising that pleasurable feeling is also gross, the
Yogi eliminates it as he did the other three Jhàna factors,
and develops the more subtle and peaceful Upekkhà. On
the attainment of the fifth Jhàna breathing ceases. As he
has transcended both pain and pleasure by will-power, he
is immune to pain too.
This Upekkhà is a highly refined form of the ordinary
tatramajjhattatà, even-mindedness, one of the moral mental
states, latent in all types of Sobhana consciousness.
In the Pàli phrase—Upekkhà satipàrisuddhi—purity
of mindfulness which comes of equanimity—it is the tatramajjhattatà
that is referred to. This is latent in the first four
Jhànas too. In the fifth Jhàna this tatramajjhattatà is singled
out and becomes highly refined. Both neutral feeling
(Upekkhà Vedanà) and equanimity that correspond to the
one Pàli term Upekkhà are found in the fifth Jhàna.
Thus there appear to be four kinds of Upekkhà, viz:—
(1) just neutral feeling, found in the six Akusala Cittas,
(2) sensitive passive neutral feeling (Anubhavana Upekkhà)
found in the eight Ahetuka sense-door consciousness
(dvipa¤ca-vi¤¤àõa)24 (3) intellectual Upekkhà, found mostly
in the two Sobhana Kriyà Cittas, accompanied by knowledge,
and sometimes in the two Sobhana Kusala Cittas,
accompanied by knowledge, (4) ethical Upekkhà, found in
all the Sobhana Cittas, especially in the fifth Jhàna.
Brahmavihàrupekkhà and Saïkhàrupekkhà may be
included in both intellectual and ethical Upekkhà.25
The first is equanimity amidst all vicissitudes of life.
The second is neither attachment õor aversion with respect
to all conditioned things.

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http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/abhidhamma.pdf

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