Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 1Lying
Pāli / Sanskrit:Musāvāda
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THE SUTRA ON LYING (MUSĀVĀDA)
Context
The Sutra on Lying is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist Dharma. It is an important regulation in the law of the Buddhist Sangha, establishing clear boundaries regarding dishonest conduct in the practice.
Lying (musāvāda) is regarded as one of the most basic ethical faults, because it attacks the foundation of trust and clarity in the community. According to the Pāli Vinaya Piṭaka, the rules on lying do not apply only to major matters, but to every form of distorting the truth, whether small or great. This legal rule reflects the core principle that the Buddha-Dharma rests upon transparency and absolute honesty.
Main Content
According to the rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka, lying is broadly defined as intentionally distorting or concealing the truth by speech, action, or silence in order to mislead others. Unlike other faults such as anger or greed, it has the deepest capacity to destroy trust and the communal spirit.
This sutra establishes a clear principle: a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī must not lie about any matter related to practice, from psychic power (iddhi), superhuman knowledge (abhiññā), to everyday matters. Lying is considered one of the most serious actions, often leading to heavy penalties such as expulsion from the Sangha or prolonged disciplinary censure.
More importantly, the sutra indicates that lying affects not only the listener but also destroys the mind of the one who lies. It causes the mind to lose its clarity, gradually erodes the ability to contemplate truth, and obstructs the path of practice.
Practical Meaning
For those who practice according to the Buddha-Dharma, the Sutra on Lying reminds us that honesty is not merely a formal morality, but the living foundation of practice. When we lie, whether in a small matter or a great one, we weaken wholesome roots (kusala) such as faith (saddhā) and wisdom (paññā).
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