Significance of Shame
Shame is a complex and multifaceted emotion recognized across various traditions, including Jainism, Vaishnavism, Mahayana, and others in South Asia. In Jainism, it is a painful response to dishonorable actions. In Vaishnavism, it reflects feelings of distress and guilt concerning personal actions and the perceived significance of valuable objects. Similarly, in Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada, shame often relates to moral failures or recognition of one's inferior status. Across these traditions, shame encompasses emotions like embarrassment, guilt, and the consciousness of wrongdoing.
Synonyms: Embarrassment, Humiliation, Disgrace, Guilt, Remorse, Self-reproach, Scorn., Mortification
In Dutch: Schaamte
In Finnish: Häpeä
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Shame'
In Buddhism, Shame encompasses feelings of guilt over moral failures and is illustrated through Louen li's recognition of his friend Mrigashiras as a bhikshu, highlighting the emotional impact of ethical conduct and self-awareness.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The affirmation of the Word’s consistency and unchanging nature throughout time and space, as perceived by individuals.[1] (2) Referring to the concept of attributing characteristics like 'appearance and disappearance' to the soul or Spirit.[2] (3) A phrase indicating that two concepts or entities that are not different must be considered identical in principle, particularly in the context of negation.[3] (4) Referring to equality or likeness in nature, which is contested in the context of Means of Cognition and Fruit of Cognition.[4] (5) Refers to the concept that two instances being considered cannot coexist as identical entities in the context of cognition.[5]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) An emotion experienced by the brahmacarin Louen li upon recognizing his friend Mrigashiras as a converted bhikshu standing behind the Buddha.[6]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) A feeling of embarrassment or guilt about one’s actions, particularly regarding moral failures or misconduct.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Shame'
In Hinduism, shame is depicted as a multifaceted emotion, encompassing feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, and guilt experienced by individuals due to self-awareness, social status, or relationships, highlighting its significance in personal and collective identity.
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A feeling of guilt or embarrassment, specifically related to the loss of significance of valuable objects.[8] (2) A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior, referred to as vrida.[9] (3) Vrida; a painful feeling regarding one's own actions or status.[10]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Implies that different pairs of opposites (friends/enemies, honor/dishonor, etc.) are ultimately viewed as having equal significance.[11] (2) The feeling of disgrace or embarrassment that the subjects are discarding in the verse.[12]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) An emotional response that influences the demigods’ reluctance to admit the superiority of the maharshis.[13]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) The man's confirmation of his identity as Raikva.[14] (2) Referring to the need for the king to repeat what he said about Gautama's son.[15]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A principle that signifies the idea of sameness in relation to the Sun and the Sama, emphasizing that all beings reflect a shared essence.[16]
From: Prashna Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) A phrase used to denote agreement among various interpretations regarding the nature of Time and the universe.[17]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Refers to the philosophical concept that the individual identity remains constant despite changes, such as during transitions from sleep to waking.[18]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Refers to the perception of identity between the jar and the mud in the highlighted example, questioning how objects can be viewed as identical or different.[19] (2) Describes the commonality shared between the two substrata, emphasizing that despite differences, there is a fundamental similarity.[20] (3) Refers to something that is identical or unchanged, particularly in the context of language and meaning expressed by words.[21]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) A feeling of embarrassment or humiliation experienced by characters in the narrative.[22] (2) An emotional response exhibited by the lions in the example, showing an awareness of their inferiority in the presence of the slender girl.[23]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) identical in kind or quality to something previously mentioned.[24]
From: Padma Purana
(1) The feeling Padmavati experiences upon recognizing her husband while in distress.[25]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A term used to indicate that the applicable penalties for different cases of intercourse, such as with a 'vratya' and a 'candali', should be equivalent.[26]
Jain concept of 'Shame'
In Jainism, shame is perceived as a painful emotion triggered by awareness of dishonorable actions, reflecting the moral consciousness that drives individuals to adhere to ethical conduct and seek spiritual growth.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A painful emotion resulting from the consciousness of something dishonorable done.[27]
The concept of Shame in local and regional sources
Shame is depicted as a powerful emotion across different contexts, affecting the brothers' acknowledgment of their wrongdoing, the King's sense of unworthiness, and Savitri's struggles with her identity as a widow.
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) The overwhelming feeling experienced by the brothers upon the realization of their wrongdoing.[28]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) An emotion that Savitri grapples with regarding her past life and current situation of being a widow.[29]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) The emotion felt by the King upon realizing that he may be considered unworthy for not seeing the robe.[30]