Hrī (Buddhism)


Hri is a Buddhist term translated as "self-respect" or "conscientiousness". It is defined as the attitude of taking earnest care with regard to one's actions and refraining from non-virtuous actions. It is one of the virtuous mental factors within the Abhidharma teachings.
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:

Pali Canon

There are two suttas in the Pali Canon that bear the title "Hiri Sutta." Both of these texts focus on the issue of moral shame.
The first sutta is a short dialogue between the Buddha and a deity on the nature of conscience.
The second sutta is a question and answer dialogue between the Buddha and an ascetic regarding the nature of true friendship.

Mahayana

The Abhidharmakośabhāsya lists hrī among the ten virtuous mental factors.
The Yogācāra tradition recognizes it as one of the eleven wholesome mental factors.
The former text states that the difference between hrī and apatrāpya is that the former is dominated by one's own understanding of morality. The latter by contrast, is empowered by one's sense of embarrassment.

In the commentaries

The Pali Paṭṭhāna lists hiri among the twenty-five obhana cetasikas or "beautiful mental factors."
Hiri often function in conjunction with apatrāpya, or moral dread. These two are responsible for encouraging a person to avoid performing evil actions. Together they are known as lokapāla or "guardians of the world".
The Puggalapaññatti states:

The goddess

Hirī or Hiridevī is the name of a goddess and one of Śakra's daughters. Her name is sometimes translated as "Honour".
She appears in several texts, including the Sudhābhojana Jātaka and the Mañjarī Jātaka of the Mahāvastu.
It is also the name of a yaksha that may be invoked in the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta.

Alternative Translations