user7792: So let's say an army officer is caught by the enemies and wants to spill the beans. The patriot officer can either lie and mislead the enemy and get killed or can betray the country by telling all the secrets of the state. So according to Buddhist principles which is worse? Lies or betrayal? Can you lie for a greater cause? If one's intentions are for the greater good can it still be bad karma?

user4749: I'd think the officer could simply remain silent, and avoid both assisting the enemy and incurring the karma of lying.

user295: I Buddhism what matters is the roots (greed, hatred, delusion, non greed, non hatred, non delusion).
Greed, hatred and delusion are unskillful as they give results which you would perceive unfavorably hence resulting in a unpleasant sensation in the future. They are unskillful as they reap an undesired result and is not connected with the goal in Buddhism which is to be free from unsatisfactoriness which is to transent the sphere of perception and sensation (sanna vedayita nirodha).
Non greed, non hatred, non delusion are skillful as they reap experiences which you perceive favorably in the future.
So it depends on the root or volition behind the action. The same action can be done with different motivation which decide whether it is skillful or not.

7792: <p>So let's say an army officer is caught by the enemies and wants to spill the beans. The patriot officer can either lie and mislead the enemy and get killed or can betray the country by telling all the secrets of the state. So according to Buddhist principles which is worse? Lies or betrayal? Can you lie for a greater cause? If one's intentions are for the greater good can it still be bad karma?</p>
 4749: <p>I'd think the officer could simply remain silent, and avoid both assisting the enemy <em>and</em> incurring the karma of lying.</p>
 295: <p>I Buddhism what matters is the roots (greed, hatred, delusion, non greed, non hatred, non delusion).</p>

<p>Greed, hatred and delusion are unskillful as they give results which you would perceive unfavorably hence resulting in a unpleasant sensation in the future. They are unskillful as they reap an undesired result and is not connected with the goal in Buddhism which is to be free from unsatisfactoriness which is to transent the sphere of perception and sensation (sanna vedayita nirodha).</p>

<p>Non greed, non hatred, non delusion are skillful as they reap experiences which you perceive favorably in the future.</p>

<p>So it depends on the root or volition behind the action. The same action can be done with different motivation which decide whether it is skillful or not.</p>
