DHARMA FAQS

Vows are common in the world’s religions.

What vows do Buddhists take and why?

There are many different kinds of vows in Buddhism. Some are very detailed, while others address our ethics and intentions generally. Monastics in the Theravada world, for example, vow to follow the many specific rules in the that govern their day-to-day conduct, including celibacy. Lay Buddhists in