My dear friends,

The tenth precept under the seventh point in Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points is:

This precept is intimately related to the fourth brahmavihara, or sublime state, known as upekkhā in Pali or upekṣā in Sanskrit, which is the practice of equanimity. This teaching also resonates deeply with Jesus's saying in his final discourse to his disciples:

Relation to the Fourth Brahmavihara

The fourth brahmavihara calls for cultivating a mind that is free from attachment and aversion, extending impartiality and balance towards all beings, regardless of their relationship to us. This practice aims to overcome the tendency to favor friends and loved ones while neglecting or even harboring ill will towards others who are neutral or perceived as enemies. Equanimity in this sense is the foundation upon which true compassion and love can flourish, free from bias and partiality.

Similarly, the precept from Geshe Chekawa's text emphasizes the importance of applying an impartial attitude toward all objects, whether they are sentient beings or situations. This impartiality ensures that our mind is not swayed by personal preferences, likes, or dislikes, and remains steadfast in its commitment to benefiting all beings equally. This practice directly counteracts the delusions of attachment, aversion, and ignorance that cloud our perception and lead to suffering.

Connection to Jesus's Teaching

Jesus's teaching, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives," points to a deeper, spiritual peace that is not contingent on worldly conditions. The peace that Jesus offers is one that transcends the fluctuations of pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame, and all the dualities that typically disturb the mind. This peace is akin to the state of equanimity that is developed through the practice of impartiality and equanimity as described in both Buddhist and Christian traditions.

The peace Jesus refers to is a state of mind that remains undisturbed by external circumstances, a peace that comes from abiding in the awareness of the divine or awakened nature. In the context of the Bodhisattva path, this peace is synonymous with the inner stability and equanimity that arise from the realization of emptiness and the cultivation of Bodhicitta, the awakened mind of compassion.

Practicing the Precept of Impartiality

To practice this precept, one must train the mind to recognize and abandon the habitual patterns of partiality—where we are drawn to those we like and repelled by those we dislike. This requires mindful awareness and deliberate practice:

1. Mindful Observation: Begin by noticing how your mind reacts to different people, situations, and objects. Observe the subtle or overt biases that arise, whether they manifest as attachment, aversion, or indifference.
2. Reflect on Equality: Reflect on the fundamental equality of all beings, recognizing that everyone desires happiness and seeks to avoid suffering. Contemplate how attachment and aversion distort this basic truth and lead to suffering for oneself and others.
3. Extend Equanimity: Gradually work to extend an attitude of equanimity to all beings, starting with those who are near and dear, then those to whom you have a neutral feeling, and finally even those you find challenging. Practice seeing each being as worthy of compassion and kindness, free from biased judgment.
   "But I say to you who are listening:
   Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;
   bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
   If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also,
   and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt."
   - Luke 6:27-28
4. Cultivate Bodhicitta: Strengthen your motivation by reflecting on the bodhisattva vow to lead all beings to liberation. Recognize that impartiality is essential to fulfilling this vow, as it ensures that your efforts to benefit others are not limited by personal preferences.

Benefits for Followers of the Bodhisattva Path

The benefits of practicing impartiality are profound for those on the Bodhisattva path:

• Deepened Compassion: By overcoming bias, your compassion becomes universal, encompassing all beings without distinction. This aligns with the Bodhisattva's commitment to benefit all sentient beings.
• Inner Peace: As attachment and aversion decrease, you experience greater inner peace, stability, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. This is the peace that is "not as the world gives," but is rooted in spiritual realization.
• Clearer Wisdom: Impartiality allows wisdom to flourish, as the mind becomes less clouded by emotional disturbances. This clarity supports the realization of emptiness, the ultimate understanding that all phenomena are interdependent and devoid of inherent existence.
• Steady Progress: The practice of impartiality helps maintain steady progress on the path by preventing the extremes of indulgence or aversion, keeping the mind balanced and focused on the goal of enlightenment for the benefit of all.

In summary, practicing "pure impartiality on all objects" fosters the equanimity essential for the Bodhisattva path, deepens the practitioner’s compassion, and aligns with the profound peace that Jesus describes. This precept is a cornerstone for those committed to the spiritual path, leading to the transformation of self and the world through the cultivation of boundless love and wisdom.