As a Buddhist, is it ever acceptable to lie?

Question

I followed the Therevada sect, and I am curious if it is ever acceptable to tell 'little white lies' to my friends for the sakes of their feelings. Given that in certain situations nothing will be gained by my honesty, but if I tell them the truth, it would hurt them. Also, is it fair to lie for a friend in any circumstaces?

Answer 1

The past is already past.
Don’t try to regain it.
The present does not stay.
Don’t try to touch it.

From moment to moment.
The future has not come;
Don’t think about it
Beforehand.

Whatever comes to the eye,
Leave it be.
There are no commandments
To be kept;
There’s no filth to be cleansed.

With empty mind really
Penetrated, the dharmas
Have no life.

When you can be like this,
You’ve completed
The ultimate attainment.
Layman P’ang (740-808)

Answer 2

It does not matter what religion you follow, telling "white lies" to save others feelings is probably forgivable at times. But in your case, it seems that you are doing too much of the white lies to the point where you have to lie for a friend and this will become a bad habit. Are you concerned your friends won't like you? There's a lot to be gained with your honesty-freedom! Freedom to speak your mind and not having to think of telling another white lie! You'll get a load off your chest. You seem to be a sensible and sensitive person, I can't imagine that you'll hurt someones feelings by telling them the truth. It's going to be uncomfortable, but do something that makes you uncomfortable--tell the truth, or don't say anything at all. Your friends are mature enough to hear the truth from you, if not, you'll know who your friends are. I always ask myself this question before I contemplate on saying what I really feel, "What is the worse that can happen"? If you can accept the consequences, speak your mind! Be true to yourself and you'll be true to others.

Answer 3

I don't know that Buddhism says anything specifically about lying. I am a Buddhist and I definitely believe that there is a difference between telling "little white lies" to avoid hurting other people's feelings and deliberately creating confusion and mistrust by being deceitful. So, it is probably best left up to your better judgement. There are degrees of dishonesty, just don't make it a habit. I always try to be as honest as possible without being rude and unfeeling.

Answer 4

Everyone has lied. But it is not acceptable. I have lied but now If I do not want to lie I just say " I'd rather not say " Lies don't come in colors. They are all lies. We decide if they are little white lies or gigantic whoopers .Still at the end of the day they are still lies.

Answer 5

Technically you know lying is wrong, according to Buddha. I believe intent counts for everything and if a little white lie spares feelings, I don't really think it is wrong. And I am Buddhist but a white American. I wish you could ask a monk.

Answer 6

The fourth precept........refrain from,slandering,gossip.etc.You need to understand it deeper.Just use this test :
1.Is it good for me and bad for others?If yes;then don't do it.

2.Is it bad for me and good for others?If yes;then don't do it.

3.Is it good for me and good for others?If yes;go ahead.

A white lie is not a lie if the intention is good and if it doesn't cause harm to anyone.

There will be situation in life where good action brings bad result;and bad action brings good result.Sadhu 3x.

Answer 7

If Christianity is a made up faith, why could desire to each and each guy or woman ever conceive of a faith wherein God is offered as 3 persons in one? no one, and that i mean no person, can satisfactorily supply a proof for that one. And why could desire to each and each guy or woman ever invent a faith approximately a guy loss of life on a flow with the point to shop humanity? And why could desire to anyone ever make up a theory that once you in basic terms think of in this guy you would be saved? I mean, why now no longer purely invent a faith approximately a guy named Willard who dies in a vehicle smash - and once you tension the comparable vehicle as he does then you somewhat'll bypass to heaven? i could be the well-known to admit - all of those concerns are somewhat marvelous to the human strategies. Which leads me to the theory that no-one could desire to ever be boring sufficient to make regardless of like this up. I mean, isn't the element of religion to entice followers - now no longer tension them away via ability of stupid ideals? however the gospel is boring on motive. somewhat it is so boring that no-one could desire to ever doubtlessly make those products up. inspite of the undeniable fact that this is boring on motive in view that the proud and the self-sufficient do no longer look invited - different than this is, they're susceptible to humble themselves. As Paul wrote 2000 years in the previous in a million Corinthians a million:23, 24, "yet we sound off Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness, inspite of the undeniable fact that to those who're being saved, each and each Jews and Gentiles, Christ the energy of God and the understanding of God."

Answer 8

Well the idea is to cause no suffering to others, so if this lie spares them from any form of suffering then I would think it's ok.

Answer 9

No. The 9th commandment applies to Buddhists too, God doesn't care what religion you call yourself. His commands apply to all of humanity whether you believe it or not.

http://www.needGod.com

Answer 10

If your a Boddhist are not you know the answer to that question.The ansewer is always NO.See Ya