The Buddha points to two mental qualities as the underlying
safeguards of morality, thus as the protectors of both the
individual and society as a whole. These two qualities are
called in Pali hiri and ottappa. Hiri is an innate sense of
shame over moral transgression; ottappa is moral dread, fear of
the results of wrongdoing. The Buddha calls these two states the
bright guardians of the world (sukka lokapala). He gives them
this designation because as long as these two states prevail in
people's hearts the moral standards of the world remain intact,
while when their influence wanes the human world falls into
unabashed promiscuity and violence, becoming almost
indistinguishable from the animal realm (Itiv. 42)
(http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ay_23.html).
Reverend Thanissaro wrote:You have to make a distinction between
feeling ashamed about yourself and ashamed about particular
actions. Remember Rahula was a member of the noble warrior
caste. If anybody had a sense of pride it would be that caste.