vow

An oath is a promise that you will do something without fail, while a vow is an aspiration to do something. A vow is a driving force that helps us work toward our goal. In contrast, a malicious oath is a foolish and sinful act that harms oneself and others, but it can be remedied if we repent and re

Qestions: The power of vow constitutes an important element in Mahayana Buddhist teaching. Is there any similar teaching in Theravada Buddhism? What is your interpretation about the idea of the power of vow?   Bhikkhu Bodhi, BB: In the canonical texts of Early Buddhism, very little is sai