What is "kaukritya"

Kaukritya (Sanskrit; Pali: kukkucca; Tibetan phonetic: gyöpa) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "regret", "worry", etc. In the Theravada tradition, kukkucca is defined as worry or remorse after having done wrong; it has the characteristic of regret. In the Mahayana tradition, kaukritya is defined as sadness because of mental displeasure with a former action.

Kaukritya (Pali: kukkucca) is identified as:

• One of the fourteen unwholesome mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma teachings
• One of the four changeable mental factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma teachings
• One of the five hindrances to meditation (in combination with uddhacca)