Significance of Indifferent Feeling
Indifferent feelings in Yoga and Theravada refer to a neutral emotional state that is neither pleasurable nor painful. It is characterized by neutrality and equanimity, wherein one does not encourage or despise wrong actions. In Theravada, it is associated with feelings that accompany ahetuka vipakacittas and sampaticchana-citta, regardless of their ethical nature. Indifferent feelings, or upekkha, signify a balanced emotional response, representing a lack of significant reaction to stimuli.
Synonyms: Unconcerned, Disinterested, Detached, Indifferent, Neutral
In Spanish: Sentimiento de indiferencia; In Dutch: Onverschillig gevoel; In Finnish: Välinpitämätön tunne
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Indifferent Feeling'
Indifferent feelings in Buddhism represent a neutral emotional state, known as upekkha, characterized by equanimity. These feelings indicate a lack of strong emotional responses, remaining detached from pleasure or pain across various mental states.
From: Cetasikas
(1) Upekkha can arise with various types of citta, including kusala, akusala, vipaka, and kiriya, but not with every citta.[1] (2) A state of neutrality that can occur when there is no strong emotional response towards an object, resulting in the absence of piti.[2] (3) A neutral type of feeling that is neither happy nor unhappy, often associated with a lack of significant emotional response to stimuli.[3] (4) A neutral emotional state that can accompany various types of citta.[4]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) A type of feeling (upekkha) that accompanies certain types of consciousness without emotional attachment or aversion.[5] (2) A neutral emotional response that arises without strong aversion or attachment, often accompanying certain types of lobha-mula-cittas.[6] (3) A feeling characterized by neutrality, not associated with pleasure or pain, accompanying ahetuka vipakacittas.[7] (4) Feeling associated with sampaticchana-citta regardless of its akusala or kusala nature.[8]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) A neutral emotional state accompanying certain types of consciousness.[9] (2) Upekkha, a neutral feeling that signifies equanimity or a state of balance without strong emotional responses.[10]
Hindu concept of 'Indifferent Feeling'
Indifferent feelings in Hinduism signify a neutral emotional state towards vices, marked by neither pleasure nor pain. This perspective encourages an objective view, avoiding both endorsement and condemnation of wrong actions.
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) A state of feeling neither pleasure nor pain, particularly in relation to vices, whereby one neither encourages nor despises wrong actions.[11]