Performing magic breaking the fourth precept(lying)?

Upvote:2

Performing magic doesn't necessarily break the precept but the kind of methods you use to perform magic may break it. There must be four factors involved in your action to breach the fourth precept. If I take your example with the four factors here,

  1. An untrue state of affairs. - In your case the coin is not in your hand
  2. An intention to deceive - Your intention is to deceive the people by saying it's in your hand.
  3. The expression of the falsehood either with gesture, words or body language- In your case you are saying that it's in your hand
  4. Conveying a false impression - The audience is deceived by your words.

Hence, the precept has been broken here. In this kind of situation I think we can use our intelligence to avoid such things from happening. Even if you lie to save someone's life, let alone entertain someone that's still a breach of the precept. From this action, there'll be good results by saving a life and bad consequences from lying.

Upvote:6

I don't personally see any problem with it. Although what you are saying is technically untrue, in the case of stage magic the audience knows that the performer is using sleight of hand and that it's just a trick. It's no more deceptive than telling a joke or a fairy tale. Technically the words aren't true, but the listener knows that. Unless you are trying to convince people that you actually do have powers like some fraudulent faith healers do and stuff, I wouldn't worry about it.

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