Legal oaths and affirmations?

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明安 Myoan
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Legal oaths and affirmations?

Post by 明安 Myoan »

What does Buddhism say about swearing or affirming oaths, legal or otherwise?
Especially in regards to truth telling or fulfilling one's duties?

I will see what others say before opining.
Namu Amida Butsu
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maybay
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Re: Legal oaths and affirmations?

Post by maybay »

Replace 'swear' with 'solemnly declare'. Nothing wrong with that. Redundant even.
People will know nothing and everything
Remember nothing and everything
Think nothing and everything
Do nothing and everything
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KathyLauren
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Re: Legal oaths and affirmations?

Post by KathyLauren »

I won't "swear" on a Bible. However, I will "affirm" to tell the truth, and I view doing so to be avery bit as binding as an oath sworn on a Bible. More so, perhaps. I don't believe that any deity will smite me if I tell a lie, but I do know that my karma will get me if I do. It has the same effect, and the courts recognize it as such.

Om mani padme hum
Keith
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Re: Legal oaths and affirmations?

Post by DGA »

Monlam Tharchin wrote:What does Buddhism say about swearing or affirming oaths, legal or otherwise?
Especially in regards to truth telling or fulfilling one's duties?

I will see what others say before opining.
it's important to keep the commitments you make, and if you can't, to be straightforward and apologize. That's how I've been taught. With regard to making oaths--do you mean as in a court of law? Well, all that stuff about right speech comes to mind, particularly the part about telling the truth.
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