The purpose of this thesis is to explore Buddhist vinaya about truth-telling and hospice care. It is inevitable that everyone must face death issue even if the technology and medical treatment have been dramatically improved; however, it can only prolong longevity rather than living for ever or getting good death. Therefore, it is important for us to deal with the death issue. Cancer has been the leading cause of mortality in Taiwan since 1982, truth-telling about cancer diagnosis is difficult in Taiwan medical environment, generally speaking, and truth-telling depends on the families’ attitude instead of the patient. From Buddhist’s vinaya prospective, cheating the patient will conflict with the vinaya about speaking the truth. The conclusion is that hospice care focuses on offering benefits to the patients is similar to the compassion of Bodhisattva. Therefore, we must obey the vinaya about benefits to others more important than the vinaya about truth-telling.
