Ong Yong Peng wrote thus at 20:01 06/03/2009:

>ottappa - remorse for wrong-doing

From a spiritual practice point of view, this (remorse for wrong-doing) would be rather counterproductive. According to WordNet, remorse means a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed). It can also carry the meaning of self-reproach. Quite a bit of dosa there, don't you think? Furthermore, remorse is about the past, rather than a thought that occurred in the relative present.

Often ottappa is translated as "moral fear/dread". For me, it still suggests a defiled state. How about "moral prudence", as oppose to recklessness? (Then anottappa can be translated as "moral imprudence".) With this translation, the state of mind would be based on a sense of care and wisdom, rather than fear or dread.

I'm not sure though if this would fit in so well with the cetasika theory of the Pali Abhidhamma, or that other Aabhidharmikas.

>Maybe Nina and other members like to comment on this too. I have got this understanding from a Chinese term which I believe is related to both words (simplified Chinese: 惭愧).

Yes, that's the traditional Chinese translation of the pair. Can't be sure how these words are used during the time of the translators, or how they themselves intended them to mean. In the modern day, the phrase tend to mean "feeling ashamed", which can cover a sense of shame, guilt, embarrassment and remorse.

Anyhow, being a Chinese having being exposed to the traditional Chinese perception of virtue, I can see they might regard this as "good". It's no wonder then many traditional Chinese tend to have a guilt complex, as traditional Christians do in the West. "O Suffering World!" (Heard of that Buddhist hymn?)

Again, from the spiritual practice point of view, I would stay away from this translation.

kb