‘Hirī-Ottappā’ Daylong Morning Session. Tahn Pamutto describes the twofold definition of ‘Conscience’ in Buddhism and how we might experience it. As opposed to western notions of afflictive shame and guilt, these are bright and wholesome states. Although uncomfortable sometimes, the experience of having a Conscience is the most direct way to know that our mind is healthy and our perception is undistorted. It is celebrated and encouraged by the wise.
‘Hirī-Ottappā’ Afternoon Session. The afternoon is centered around the Buddha’s advice to his son Rāhula, who is new to the monastic order and the concept of spiritual training. The Buddha teaches Rāhula how to reflect on and trust his intuition about what is right and wrong and strongly states that practitioners without the qualities of Hirī and Ottappā are devoid of virtue.