Overview
In Theravāda psychology, these two wholesome mental factors (cetasikas) are considered the foundation of all civilized human behavior. Without them, the Buddha warned, human society would collapse into animalistic chaos, with no respect for family, morality, or social order.
The List
- Hiri - Moral Shame: An internal sense of conscience and self-respect that causes one to recoil from doing evil. It is motivated by a sense of one’s own dignity and principles.
- Ottappa - Moral Dread: An external fear of the consequences of wrongdoing, such as fear of blame, legal punishment, or rebirth in hell. It causes one to avoid evil out of respect for external forces.
Textual References
- Canonical: Sukkapakka Sutta (AN 2.9) – The Buddha declares these as the two bright principles that protect the world from falling into confusion.