5 precepts. Alcohol?

A forum for discussion of Buddhist ethics.
pael
Posts: 558
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:49 pm

Re: 5 precepts. Alcohol?

Post by pael »

smcj wrote:
I have heard you cannot break precept against alcohol. Is it true?
Where did you get that idea?
I meant complete break. It is only weakened. According to public lamrim-lecture.
May all beings be free from suffering and causes of suffering
Schrödinger’s Yidam
Posts: 7885
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:13 am

Re: 5 precepts. Alcohol?

Post by Schrödinger’s Yidam »

I wish to correct a position I have previously taken in regards to alcohol and the 5th precept. I thought that the 5th precept was only for total abstinence, and any idea that it could be configured to be for just moderation was a modern invention/corruption.

From "Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism" by the previous Kalu Rinpoche, p.99:
Q: Can we take a partial vow against intoxicants, with a view that we can drink in moderation under certain condition, or, if that is our wish, is it best not to take the vow at all?

A: If you wish to make a stipulation which, for example, would allow moderate social drinking, that would be appropriate as long as you have discussed it with your teacher, the person from whom you will receive the vows.
So I stand corrected.
*****
(Sorry to bump an old thread.)
1.The problem isn’t ‘ignorance’. The problem is the mind you have right now. (H.H. Karmapa XVII @NYC 2/4/18)
2. I support Mingyur R and HHDL in their positions against lama abuse.
3. Student: Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama: Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you. (DW post by Fortyeightvows)
Marc
Posts: 176
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 4:40 am

Re: 5 precepts. Alcohol?

Post by Marc »

Question for scholars:

It is under my confused impression that in tibetan buddhism alcool / chang has been conflated with Amrita / Düdtsi / Mendrup...

Are the Tantras explicitly referring to chang / alcool as substance-samaya ?
Are they rather referring to Amrita ?
Or both ?
Or neither ? :tongue:

Thx for the input!
tingdzin
Posts: 1948
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:19 am

Re: 5 precepts. Alcohol?

Post by tingdzin »

Put simply, all ritual amrita is alcohol-based, but all alcohol is certainly not amrita, unless one is an exceedingly advanced individual,perhaps. The two cannot simply be "conflated".
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