budhi

Budhi is a term with roots in Sanskrit that is commonly translated as intellect, discernment, or higher mind. In Indian philosophy and spirituality, buddhi is the rational, discriminatory aspect of the mind responsible for understanding, judging, and making decisions. It is often described as distinct from the more instinctual manas (the mind) and the ego, or ahamkara, and is considered an instrument for true discernment when aligned with virtue or sattva.

In broader Hindu and yogic thought, buddhi is the faculty through which experience is interpreted and choices are made. It is associated with viveka (discrimination) and the capacity to differentiate between what is enduring and what is transient. Some traditions describe buddhi as arising from mahat, a cosmic principle of intelligence, and shaping individual cognition within the framework of karma and dharma.

In Malay and Indonesian usage, budhi refers to the mind, intellect, or character, and can denote a person’s moral will or inner strength. In Filipino culture, the term budhi is used to express conscience or inner moral sense. While related, these senses reflect regional linguistic and cultural variations in the concept of mind, judgment, and moral awareness.

Today, Budhi is also encountered as a given name in Indonesia and the Philippines, and it appears in various cultural and literary contexts. The term is sometimes transliterated as buddhi to reflect its Sanskrit origins, and it should not be confused with bodhi, which in Buddhist contexts refers to enlightenment.