What is Sheshou (Equanimity) — Bai Xuexiang's Reflections on Observance Practice

Renunciation means letting go, discarding, or ceasing to possess. Feeling (vedanā) refers to the sensation within the aggregates of feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—an emotional type of perception. Equanimity (upekkhā) denotes emotional dullness or the absence of emotional reactions. For example, regarding food, there is no perception of "delicious" or "unpalatable." In most cases, it is simply a matter of edible or inedible. Another example: when separated from or reunited with parents, siblings, or loved ones, the mind remains unchanged. There is no joy, excitement, disappointment, or similar emotions. Similarly, in social interactions—whether facing warmth or coldness, being scolded without anger (or feigning anger, or experiencing brief anger), or being praised without smugness—there is no emotional reaction. Regarding others' blame or misunderstandings, it is neither disdain, tolerance, nor indifference. It is like swinging a knife through empty air or punching a sponge; no matter what others do, there is no reaction!

The essence of equanimity is non-self (anattā). "I" renounce; "I" feel. When there is no "I," there naturally ceases to be renunciation or feeling, because the subject of renunciation and feeling disappears.

Commentary: Cultivation should be practiced in this manner—not merely discussing theories all day while one's actual mental conduct starkly contradicts those theories. When one attains a state of no-mind, there is no need to discuss whether precepts are necessary; precepts become superfluous. At the stage of no-mind, virtue is highest; when free from desires, virtue is highest. Only with elevated virtue can one become a sage. There are no sages with low moral character.