2007-09-17 02:01:24 · 11 answers · asked by Christy ☪☮e✡is✝ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One of the Five Precepts in Buddhism warns against taking intoxicants causing heedlessness. But since these are precepts and not commandments, every Buddhist has to approach them in their own way. Some Buddhists refrain from alcohol and drugs altogether, and some are casual/social drinkers.
The reason this precept exists is to encourage practitioners to keep their minds clear and lucid at all times. You can't meditate if you're intoxicated, after all. ;-)
Buddhism really doesn't get into the whole "thou shalt not" thing. The Buddha left it up to us to make wise, enlightened decisions, based on the teachings he left behind, but he also realized that we all had to find the paths that worked best for each of us individually. If you find something that works for you on your path, you should pursue it. If you find something that hinders your path, you should abandon it ... even if it's something he taught. Simple.
2007-09-17 02:10:14 · answer #1 · answered by Cap'n Zeemboo 3 · 23⤊ 0⤋
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How does the Buddhist religion view drinking alcohol?
2015-08-09 05:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its more a philosophy with a goal than a religion There is no hard rule about it but they think you should be of clear mind always to avoid difficulties. Basically they just warn of drunkeness and the problems it causes. Drinking a little alcohol you can still keep a clear state of mind. Some drink some dont.
2016-03-18 07:52:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is strictly prohibited in the eight-fold path, since it is a mind-altering substance...
Edit:
Of course, if someone messes up and drinks, it is understandable and forgivable. I used "prohibited" because some people take the eight-fold path a bit too lightly. They may be precepts, not rules, but we should still always try to follow them to the best of our ability. We shouldn't ever use the fact that they are precepts as an excuse to ignore them...
2007-09-17 02:08:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
Buddhism And Alcohol
2016-11-14 19:22:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are precepts in Buddhism. Lay people are supposed to follow the first 5; monastics follow all of them. The 5th precept is to abstain from intoxicating beverages and drugs which cause you to lose your ability to be mindful.
Addendum: I didn't mean to insinuate that it was "sinful" or anything. Just that it isn't considered helpful to maintaining mindfulness.
2007-09-17 02:12:53 · answer #6 · answered by lotus4yoga 4 · 14⤊ 0⤋
In Buddhism nothing is prohibited it is just recommended that you refrain from intoxication as it slows your progress and makes you more likely to break the other precepts.
There is no sin in Buddhism only lack of progress.
2007-09-17 04:07:34 · answer #7 · answered by Erebus 4 · 10⤊ 0⤋
If you meet the Buddha, kill him, after having a beer together. Buddha, the fat happy one at least, would not deprive himself because everything he does is would be in big mind. Do everything fully, without regard to good and bad.
2007-09-17 03:11:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 13⤋
according to the five percepts it is wrong but many still drink lah although it is not a big sin
2007-09-17 02:13:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They teach "Clairity". Alcohol is non-clairity!
2007-09-17 02:14:48 · answer #10 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 11⤊ 0⤋