adosa
Non-hatred
[ AH-doh-sa ]
Seeing it in life
Adosa is the opposite of ill-will: gentleness and friendliness. As mettā it is the first of the brahmavihāras.
In short
Loving-kindness — second wholesome root.
The analysis
Adosa is the opposite tone to dosa — gentleness and friendliness rather than aversion, the second of the three wholesome roots. As mettā, loving-kindness, adosa becomes the first of the four brahmavihāras when cultivated and directed toward all beings without limit. Adosa is present in every wholesome citta at minimum, alongside alobha.
Where it sits
Adosa pairs with alobha as the two roots present in every wholesome citta; when specifically cultivated and directed outward toward beings, it's given the further name mettā and takes on brahmavihāra status.
Meeting someone else's mistake without the flash of irritation that might ordinarily accompany it — not forced patience, just the aversive charge simply not arising — is adosa, present in an unremarkable, everyday form.
Commonly mistaken for
Warmth or active affection specifically. Adosa at minimum is simply the absence of hatred; mettā, its cultivated form, is the fuller expression of active goodwill.
Passivity or lack of boundaries. Non-hatred doesn't preclude clear, firm action.
Abhidhammattha Saṅgaha II.
Related terms