Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

106 Vimuttimaggaequanimity because of dispassion is called the equanimity of the meditation(jhdna) factors. Equanimity-mindfulness purity is the equanimity of purity.And again, there are three kinds of equanimity: equanimity regarded as avehicle of concentration; regarded as the state of little activity; and regardedas non-action. The equalized skilfulness that is present in all meditations,jhdnas, and is neither hasty nor slow is "equanimity considered as a vehicle ofconcentration". This inferior equanimity is near the second meditation, jhdna,and removes exultation of mind. If the mind is not active, it is called "equanimityregarded as a state of little activity". This equanimity is near the thirdmeditation, jhdna, and removes all exultation of mind. If one's mind is notactively concerned with objects, through imperturbability of thought and body,it is called "equanimity regarded as non-action". This equanimity is near thefourth meditation, jhdna.What are the salient characteristic, function, manifestation and near causeof equanimity? Equipoise is its salient characteristic. Non-attachment isits function. Non-action is its manifestation. Dispassion is its near cause.Q. Why is it taught that equanimity is in this meditation, jhdna, and notin the second and the first meditations, jhdnaslA. In the second and the first meditations, jhdnas, the mind, being fullof joy, does not become detached. Because of joy and bliss, exultation ofmind is not removed. Therefore, this equanimity is not taught as being presentin the second and the first meditations, jhdnas. Owing to absence of joy andbliss, owing to dispassion and owing to the removal of the process of combinationin the third meditation, jhdna, this meditation {jhdna) factor arises.Because of the mastering of the meditation {jhdna) factors, it is said "abidesin equanimity, mindful and completely conscious".Q. What are the salient characteristic, function, manifestation and nearcause of "mindfulness" ?A. Recollectedness is its salient characteristic; non-forgetting is itsfunction; protection is its manifestation; and the four foundations of mindfulnessare it near cause.What is it to be "completely conscious" ? To be conscious is to be aware.It is to be completely conscious rightly. There are four kinds in being completelyconscious rightly. 1 They are the being completely conscious of oneself;the being completely conscious of one's distinctive mark; the being completelyconscious undeludedly; the being completely conscious basically. Here, to becompletely conscious of the four postures, is to be completely conscious ofoneself. Entering solitude is to be completely conscious of one's distinctivemark. To know the eight worldly conditions 2 is to be completely conscious1. Cp. D.- a. I, 184: Sdtthaka-sampajahnam sappdya-sampajannam gocara-sampajannarhasammoha-sampajannan ti catubbidharh sampajannam.2. Aftha loka-dhammd.