Hri (, ; ) is a Sanskrit Buddhist term translated as "self-respect" or "conscientiousness". Pronounced . 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:
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 (SN 1.18) is a short dialogue between the Buddha and a deity on the nature of conscience.
The second sutta (Sn 2.3) is a question and answer dialogue between the Buddha and an ascetic regarding the nature of true friendship.
Hrëḥ is the seed syllable of the Buddha AmitÃÂbha, and represents the qualities of the Buddha of the western quarter, meditation and compassion. In Tibet it is also associated with Avalokiteà Âvara or Chenresig and is the seed syllable that symbolizes the essence of his mindstream. It is often visualized at the heart center of Chenrezig in meditation practices. The Dalai Lamas are considered to be manifestations of Chenrezig in human form. Therefore, the seed syllable HRI is intrinsically linked to the Dalai Lama lineage. This connection reinforces the Dalai Lamas' role as the embodiment of compassion and wisdom.
The Abhidharmakoà ÂabhÃÂsya lists hrë among the ten virtuous mental factors (daà Âa kuà ÂalamahÃÂbhá¿¡mikàdharma; 大åÂÂå°æ³Â).
The YogÃÂcÃÂra tradition recognizes it as one of the eleven wholesome mental factors (ekÃÂdaà Âa-kuà Âala; Ã¥ÂÂä¸ÂÃ¥ÂÂ).
The former text states that the difference between hrë and apatrÃÂpya 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.
The Pali Paá¹Âá¹ÂhÃÂna lists hiri among the twenty-five sobhana cetasikas or "beautiful mental factors."
Hiri often function in conjunction with apatrÃÂpya (Pali: ottappa), or moral dread. These two are responsible for encouraging a person to avoid performing evil actions. Together they are known as lokapÃÂla or "guardians of the world".
The Puggalapaññatti states:
Hirë or Hiridevë is the name of a goddess and one of à Âakra's daughters. Her name is sometimes translated as "Honour".
She appears in several texts, including the SudhÃÂbhojana JÃÂtaka and the Mañjarë JÃÂtaka of the MahÃÂvastu.
It is also the name of a yaksha that may be invoked in the ÃÂá¹ÂÃÂnÃÂá¹Âiya Sutta.