Do arahants have emotions?

[Sacha G]

Hello
For long, I've thought that arahants don't have emotions, at least no negative one. But recently I've heard from some (and especially Ajahn Amaro) that they do, but that they are detached from them
What do you think?
Sacha G

[DNS]

From what I understand, Arahants have emotions, namely:

metta, karuna, mudita, uppekha

nothing more, nothing less.

[Nori]

Is not every minutest action driven by desire, intention and emotion?

Why would one decide to stand, sit down or take a single step?

[jackson]

From what I understand, Arahants have emotions, namely:

metta, karuna, mudita, uppekha

nothing more, nothing less.

Greetings David,
Are you saying an Arahant doesn't feel happiness? And also I seem to recall when one of the Buddha's chief disciples passed away he compared it to the sun going out, my memory may be off and I may have misinterpreted what he meant, so if someone knows the Sutta I'd appreciate if they could share it. Looking forward to this discussion!
With metta,
Jackson

[Kenshou]

Piti and sukha might be thought of as emotions, and as members of the 7 factors or awakening I would think that arahants would possess them, at least some of the time.

"Emotion" is a little bit of a vague word, though.

[Kenshou]

Edit: Post was too vague, too lazy to clarify it, don't worry about it.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Jackson,

metta, karuna, mudita, uppekha

nothing more, nothing less.

Greetings David,
Are you saying an Arahant doesn't feel happiness?

These emotions are happy and/or peaceful ones.

Metta,
Retro.

[jackson]

Hi everyone,
I managed to find the quote I was thinking of, but I can't find the original source. Here it is:
"There's a famous quotation from the time the Buddha learned of the deaths of two of his greatest disciples:
'It's as if the sun and the moon have left the sky.'
From that quotation, I would guess that while the Buddha loved all beings everywhere, with no exclusion, he also had relationships that were special to him, and he felt their loss."
Sharon Salzberg, “The Open Heart,”

Anyway, I'm wondering what the source for this quotation is, as I'm having trouble finding more info about it, and I'd also like to hear your thoughts on Sharon Salzberg's interpretation of it.
Much appreciation for this topic!
Jackson

[Digity]

I don't think arahants turn into emotionless robots. I imagine their relationship with emotions is much different and healthier than the average person.

[Ben]

So far all we have is different members opinions. And opinions based on what exactly?
Can anyone bring any textual support for their contentions?
kind regards

Ben

[Nori]

I don't think arahants turn into emotionless robots. I imagine their relationship with emotions is much different and healthier than the average person.

I like the way you to put this. If I had to speculate based on my understanding, there is some sorts of emotion until their dissolution.

[Kenshou]

So far all we have is different members opinions. And opinions based on what exactly?
Can anyone bring any textual support for their contentions?

The niramisa sutta shows a few examples of how an arahant can experience happiness, joy, and equanimity.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nypo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"And what is the still greater unworldly joy? When a taint-free monk looks upon his mind that is freed of greed, freed of hatred, freed of delusion, then there arises joy. This called a 'still greater unworldly joy.'

"And what is the still greater unworldly happiness? When a taint-free monk looks upon his mind that is freed of greed, freed of hatred, freed of delusion, then there arises happiness. This is called a 'still greater unworldly happiness.'

"And what is the still greater unworldly equanimity? When a taint-free monk looks upon his mind that is freed of greed, freed of hatred and freed of delusion, then there arises equanimity. This is called a 'still greater unworldly equanimity.'

[Ben]

Ah thank you Kenshou for your substantive contribution!

But do you think happiness, joy and equanimity that are experienced as the result of developing jhana and/or vipassana are emotions? Are they the same happiness, joy and equanimity that an uninstructed run-of-the-mill worldling experiences? If so, why and what support do you have? If not, why and what support do you have?
The questions are not directed specifically to you Kenshou - but to anyone.
kind regards

Ben

[Nori]

But do you think happiness, joy and equanimity that are experienced as the result of developing jhana and/or vipassana are emotions? Are they the same happiness, joy and equanimity that an uninstructed run-of-the-mill worldling experiences? ...
The questions are not directed specifically to you Kenshou - but to anyone.

There is another sutta which describes the various jhanas. In it, it describes that even this unworldly joy, described above, subsides in the higher jhanas. I cannot answer your question with certainty, but I would suspect that it is some sort of feeling/emotion.

[Ben]

Hi Nori,

But do you think happiness, joy and equanimity that are experienced as the result of developing jhana and/or vipassana are emotions? Are they the same happiness, joy and equanimity that an uninstructed run-of-the-mill worldling experiences? ...
The questions are not directed specifically to you Kenshou - but to anyone.

There is another sutta which describes the various jhanas.

Quote and citation, please!
I think a discussion based on textual evidence and reason is far more beneficial and interesting than one based on mere opinions and speculations.
kind regards

Ben