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What is the take on alcohol?
by becoming a buddhist, if that ended up being the path i choose, would I be able to still drink alcohol? I know its all about you finding peace within yourself so therefore you would not need alcohol etc but i can see that being the hardest part for me. + not even necessarily alcohol but all vices like chocolate etc.
there would be hard things I would have to get through as well like envy (I always want what i havent got) but I reckon I could do those things as I would understand the reasons behind it. But i feel I would always have a longing for my vices. :wtf: I look forward to them! I guess when you alter your mind set, you no longer need those things?
there would be hard things I would have to get through as well like envy (I always want what i havent got) but I reckon I could do those things as I would understand the reasons behind it. But i feel I would always have a longing for my vices. :wtf: I look forward to them! I guess when you alter your mind set, you no longer need those things?
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The thing is, the path the Buddha taught isn't a path of strict adherence to rules. Obeying rules doesn't lead to enlightenment or else the Marine Corps would be filled with lots of enlightened beings
I am not suggesting you ignore the 5 precepts including the one about intoxication, but I would certainly not want you to feel that consuming alcohol somehow forbid you from practice. Instead I think you will come to find, over time, that the 5 precepts are like warnings that if you are habitually violating them it will interfere with your goal of liberation from suffering.
One way I have heard the 5 precepts explained is as follows: The precepts are not moral rules that one must follow, they are a description of the way an enlightened being does conduct his/herself.
As for whether having a glass of wine with dinner or something like that violates the fifth precept, it depends on who you ask. Some say yes and some say no. Dhammanando Bhikkhu, for example, states:
The main reasoning behind this interpretation — which is based on Abhidhammic teachings — is that "every breach of the fifth precept arises from a greed-rooted citta."
Ajahn Khemasanto, on the other hand, has said that having a glass of wine with dinner (for a lay-followers at least) doesn't violate the fifth precept as long as one stops before they can "feel the effects" of the alcohol. The main reasoning behind this interpretation, I suppose, is the intent of the precept itself, i.e., the precept is meant to help protect one from breaking the other four precepts, not to insinuate that drinking alcohol in and of itself is unwholesome.
Whether this is what the Buddha himself meant when he formulated the fifth precept, I don't know; I'm just passing along what I've heard. I have a glass of beer or wine once in a while myself, and I don't lose any sleep over it. Suffice it to say that I tend to follow the spirit rather than the letter when it comes to doctrine.
If your practice doesn't lead to very real changes in your life it's of no value. The good news is lots of us can attest that it does lead to changes in your life and ultimately they are all good ones that lead toward liberation from suffering.
I can't say what specific changes your practice will lead to, but I can assure you that your practice will lead to a lot of changes taking place and you will like those changes.
I second this.
I would say that's more true for becoming a monk than becoming a buddhist. I don't see how meditation mixed with buddhist dharma could possibly not help.
I agree. This isn't a path that requires 100% certain commitment upfront. Practice what you learn as best you can and this will result in your experiencing 'things'.
Just evaluate your experience and ask yourself if this seems like something you want more of. If so, practice some more. If not, no harm done.
Not to mention the Germans!
You can, just make sure you do it right. (<-joke)
i don't drink often myself, but alcohol can be quite a joy when it is done right
it usually isn't though
That being said, I have noticed my desire for meat decreasing the longer I practice. I wish I could say the same for alcohol, but I just enjoy the fruits of my labors too much.
Start where you can and where you feel comfortable and progress from there. Buddhism is a path, not a destination.
QFT
I started out ensuring I didn't get drunk or tipsy. As time has gone by, I have found I don't enjoy drinking alcohol, so I don't drink it anymore.
It's been a natural progression for me. It may be that way with you too. No one will judge you on it.
In metta,
Raven
I am the kind of person who tends to be "all or nothing", both in wholesome and unwholesome pursuits, so when I got into pot I got into it with gusto. When I got into Buddhism I got into it with gusto. Therefore the benefits of keeping the five precept were very apparent to me due to the extreme contrast in my mind. However, I am convinced that even someone who currently only drinks occassionally will benefit from keeping the five precepts too.
I think it comes down to the reasons/intentions why you're knocking back that fifth shot of Sambucca - I've noticed on many occasions I drink so that I can "have fun": I have a huge number of arbitrary and unreasonable self-doubts/self-hates (join the club, we'd have T-Shirts but we think the design is phony and no-one will like it) that, even sober, make life hell. Alcohol loosens these inhibitions, but also, unfortunately regardless of the self-control I still try to retain, tends to loosen the safe inhibitions too. I've had instances where I've noticed that I'm cool with doing something I'd regret sober - and the intent behind those instances was to get drunk enough to do it, which is just like being a willing accomplice or enabler to a crime. Very unskillful.
On the other hand, I've had some decent times with mates fueled by just a beer or two, or (sad, I know) on my own - a shot or two and a guitar/drawing tablet and my muse merrily prances about
I'll take some!
It's a pity though, most of my friends are into the whole copious amounts of booze thing so it's hard for me to justify going out with them sometimes... being around drunk people when you're not intoxicated doesn't work.
I think this covers it.
My experience, limited as it is, has been to allow this process to grow at it’s own pace and make the appropriate changes when it’s time. Trying to force myself to do things I’m not ready for has rarely proved “skillful”.
It is not about where you are from, but where you are at.
It's just common sense in my opinion, you need to ask yourselves, Why am I drinking? and what will it cause to happen? Well I drink for the social aspect (Others having a drink) and because It tastes nice. There are no negative consequences. Binge drinking and drinking due to peer pressure, when you are bragging about how many you drink etc, or to alleviate stress is only a cover up of a deeper problem. I see no problem at all drinking a small amount occasionally.
Chris