Difference between revisions of "Ahirika"
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| − | '''[[Āhrīkya]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[ahirika]]; [[Tibetan]] phonetic: [[Ngotsa mepa]]) is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "[[lack of shame]]", "[[lack of Consciousness]]", etc. In the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]], [[ahirika]] is defined as the absence of disgust at {{Wiki|physical}} or {{Wiki|verbal}} {{Wiki|misconduct}}. In the [[Mahayana]] [[tradition]], [[āhrīkya]] is defined as not restraining from wrongdoing due to one's own {{Wiki|conscious}}. | + | '''[[Āhrīkya]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[ahirika]]; [[Tibetan]] phonetic: [[Ngotsa mepa]]) is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "[[lack of shame]]", "[[lack of Consciousness]]", etc. In the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]], [[ahirika]] is defined as the absence of {{Wiki|disgust}} at {{Wiki|physical}} or {{Wiki|verbal}} {{Wiki|misconduct}}. In the [[Mahayana]] [[tradition]], [[āhrīkya]] is defined as not restraining from wrongdoing due to one's [[own]] {{Wiki|conscious}}. |
[[Āhrīkya]] is identified as: | [[Āhrīkya]] is identified as: | ||
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In the [[Visuddhimagga]] (XIV, 160), [[ahirika]] ([[consciencelessness]]) is defined together with [[Anottappa]] ({{Wiki|shamelessness}}) as follows: | In the [[Visuddhimagga]] (XIV, 160), [[ahirika]] ([[consciencelessness]]) is defined together with [[Anottappa]] ({{Wiki|shamelessness}}) as follows: | ||
| − | : Herein, it has no [[conscientious]] scruples, thus it is [[consciencelessness]] ([[ahirika]]). It is [[unashamed]], thus it is [[shamelessness]] ([[Anottappa]]). Of these, [[ahirika]] has the [[characteristic]] of absence of disgust at [[bodily]] {{Wiki|misconduct}}, etc., or it has the [[characteristic]] of immodesty. [[Anottappa]] has the [[characteristic]] of absence of dread on their account, or it has the [[characteristic]] of absence of [[anxiety]] about them... | + | : Herein, it has no [[conscientious]] {{Wiki|scruples}}, thus it is [[consciencelessness]] ([[ahirika]]). It is [[unashamed]], thus it is [[shamelessness]] ([[Anottappa]]). Of these, [[ahirika]] has the [[characteristic]] of absence of {{Wiki|disgust}} at [[bodily]] {{Wiki|misconduct}}, etc., or it has the [[characteristic]] of {{Wiki|immodesty}}. [[Anottappa]] has the [[characteristic]] of absence of dread on their account, or it has the [[characteristic]] of absence of [[anxiety]] about them... |
| − | [ | + | [http://www.abhidhamma.org/interview%20with%20nina.html Nina van Gorkom] explains: |
: The two [[cetasikas]] [[shamelessness]] and [[recklessness]] seem to be very close in meaning, but they have different [[characteristics]]. [[Shamelessness]] does not shrink from [[Evil]] because it is not ashamed of it and does not abhor it. The “[[Paramattha Mañjūsā]]” compares it to a domestic pig which does not abhor filth. [[Defilements]] ([[Kilesa]]) are like filth, they are [[unclean]], [[impure]]. [[Shamelessness]] does not abhor [[Defilements]], be it [[Attachment]], [[aversion]], [[Ignorance]], [[avarice]], [[jealousy]], {{Wiki|conceit}} or any other kind of [[unwholesomeness]]. | : The two [[cetasikas]] [[shamelessness]] and [[recklessness]] seem to be very close in meaning, but they have different [[characteristics]]. [[Shamelessness]] does not shrink from [[Evil]] because it is not ashamed of it and does not abhor it. The “[[Paramattha Mañjūsā]]” compares it to a domestic pig which does not abhor filth. [[Defilements]] ([[Kilesa]]) are like filth, they are [[unclean]], [[impure]]. [[Shamelessness]] does not abhor [[Defilements]], be it [[Attachment]], [[aversion]], [[Ignorance]], [[avarice]], [[jealousy]], {{Wiki|conceit}} or any other kind of [[unwholesomeness]]. | ||
| − | : As to [[recklessness]], it does not abhor, draw back from [[Evil]] because it does not see the [[danger]] of [[Akusala]] and it does not {{Wiki|fear}} its consequences such as an [[unhappy]] [[Rebirth]]. The “[[Paramattha Mañjūsā]]” compares [[recklessness]] to a moth which is attracted to the [[Fire]], although this is [[dangerous]] for it. Are we enslaved by [[pleasant]] [[experiences]]? We may even commit [[Evil]] through [[Body]], [[speech]] or [[Mind]] on account of them. Then [[recklessness]] does not {{Wiki|fear}} the [[danger]] of [[Akusala]], it does not care about the consequences of [[Akusala]]. | + | : As to [[recklessness]], it does not abhor, draw back from [[Evil]] because it does not see the [[danger]] of [[Akusala]] and it does not {{Wiki|fear}} its {{Wiki|consequences}} such as an [[unhappy]] [[Rebirth]]. The “[[Paramattha Mañjūsā]]” compares [[recklessness]] to a moth which is attracted to the [[Fire]], although this is [[dangerous]] for it. Are we enslaved by [[pleasant]] [[experiences]]? We may even commit [[Evil]] through [[Body]], [[speech]] or [[Mind]] on account of them. Then [[recklessness]] does not {{Wiki|fear}} the [[danger]] of [[Akusala]], it does not care about the {{Wiki|consequences}} of [[Akusala]]. |
===[[Mahayana]]=== | ===[[Mahayana]]=== | ||
The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | : What is [[shamelessness]] ([[ahrīkya]])? It is not restraining oneself by taking one's perversions as one's norm. It is an [[emotional]] event associated with [[passion]]-[[lust]] ([[Raga]]), [[aversion]]-[[hatred]] ([[Dvesha]]), and bewilderment-erring ([[Moha]]). It aids all basic and proximate [[emotions]]. | + | : What is [[shamelessness]] ([[ahrīkya]])? It is not restraining oneself by taking one's [[perversions]] as one's norm. It is an [[emotional]] event associated with [[passion]]-[[lust]] ([[Raga]]), [[aversion]]-[[hatred]] ([[Dvesha]]), and [[bewilderment-erring]] ([[Moha]]). It aids all basic and proximate [[emotions]]. |
[[Alexander Berzin]] explains: | [[Alexander Berzin]] explains: | ||
| − | : No [[Moral self-dignity]] (ngo-tsha med-pa, | + | : No [[Moral self-dignity]] ([[ngo-tsha med-pa]], [[no sense of honor]] is a part of any of the three {{Wiki|poisonous}} [[emotions]]. It is the lack of any [[sense]] to refrain from {{Wiki|destructive}} {{Wiki|behavior}} because of caring how our [[actions]] reflect on ourselves. According to [[Vasubandhu]], this subsidiary {{Wiki|awareness}} means having no [[sense]] of values. It is a lack of [[respect]] for positive qualities or persons possessing them. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
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[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | [[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | ||
| − | + | {{PaliTerminology}} | |
Latest revision as of 19:01, 31 March 2015
Āhrīkya (Sanskrit; Pali: ahirika; Tibetan phonetic: Ngotsa mepa) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "lack of shame", "lack of Consciousness", etc. In the Theravada tradition, ahirika is defined as the absence of disgust at physical or verbal misconduct. In the Mahayana tradition, āhrīkya is defined as not restraining from wrongdoing due to one's own conscious.
Āhrīkya is identified as:
- One of the fourteen unwholesome Mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma teachings
- One of the twenty secondary unwholesome factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma teachings
Explanations
Theravada
In the Visuddhimagga (XIV, 160), ahirika (consciencelessness) is defined together with Anottappa (shamelessness) as follows:
- Herein, it has no conscientious scruples, thus it is consciencelessness (ahirika). It is unashamed, thus it is shamelessness (Anottappa). Of these, ahirika has the characteristic of absence of disgust at bodily misconduct, etc., or it has the characteristic of immodesty. Anottappa has the characteristic of absence of dread on their account, or it has the characteristic of absence of anxiety about them...
Nina van Gorkom explains:
- The two cetasikas shamelessness and recklessness seem to be very close in meaning, but they have different characteristics. Shamelessness does not shrink from Evil because it is not ashamed of it and does not abhor it. The “Paramattha Mañjūsā” compares it to a domestic pig which does not abhor filth. Defilements (Kilesa) are like filth, they are unclean, impure. Shamelessness does not abhor Defilements, be it Attachment, aversion, Ignorance, avarice, jealousy, conceit or any other kind of unwholesomeness.
- As to recklessness, it does not abhor, draw back from Evil because it does not see the danger of Akusala and it does not fear its consequences such as an unhappy Rebirth. The “Paramattha Mañjūsā” compares recklessness to a moth which is attracted to the Fire, although this is dangerous for it. Are we enslaved by pleasant experiences? We may even commit Evil through Body, speech or Mind on account of them. Then recklessness does not fear the danger of Akusala, it does not care about the consequences of Akusala.
Mahayana
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:
- What is shamelessness (ahrīkya)? It is not restraining oneself by taking one's perversions as one's norm. It is an emotional event associated with passion-lust (Raga), aversion-hatred (Dvesha), and bewilderment-erring (Moha). It aids all basic and proximate emotions.
Alexander Berzin explains:
- No Moral self-dignity (ngo-tsha med-pa, no sense of honor is a part of any of the three poisonous emotions. It is the lack of any sense to refrain from destructive behavior because of caring how our actions reflect on ourselves. According to Vasubandhu, this subsidiary awareness means having no sense of values. It is a lack of respect for positive qualities or persons possessing them.
