The Bhikkhus Rules
A Guide for Laypeople
by Bhikkhu Ariyesako | 1998 | 50,970 words
The Theravadin Buddhist Monk's Rules compiled and explained by: Bhikkhu Ariyesako Discipline is for the sake of restraint, restraint for the sake of freedom from remorse, freedom from remorse for the sake of joy, joy for the sake of rapture, rapture for the sake of tranquillity, tranquillity for the sake of pleasure, pleasure for the sake of conce...
Drugs And Alcohol
Finally, we turn to those substances of abuse that are entirely prohibited. The fifth of the Five Precepts [see End Note 4] for all Buddhists is restraint from drinking alcohol and similar substances that destroy mindfulness, and are thereby a frequent cause of unskillful actions and speech. The equivalent rule for bhikkhus is the fifty first Confession Rule:
"The drinking of alcohol or fermented liquors is [an offence of Confession.]"
(Paac. 51; BMC p.402)
The origin story concerns Ven. Saagata who conquered a fierce naaga — a type of serpent with magical powers — by his meditation developed psychic powers. The townspeople heard about this feat and wanted to make some sort of offering to him, upon which the group of six bhikkhus impudently suggested that they all should give him alcohol. When he arrived on his almsround every household offered alcohol and he finally collapsed, drunk, at the town gate and had to be carried back to the monastery. He was laid down in a stupor with his head towards the Buddha but in his drunkenness he turned around so that his feet pointed at the Buddha.[1] The Buddha called attention to his changed behavior, remarking that he certainly could not oppose "even a salamander" in such a state.
The Buddha also said:
"Bhikkhus,... there are these four stains because of which samanas and brahmans glow not, shine not, blaze not. What are these four? Drinking alcoholic beverages... indulging in sexual intercourse... accepting gold and money... obtaining requisites through a wrong mode of livelihood."
(A.II,53) (AB)
The Four Great Standards may be further used[2] to argue that using narcotics[3] — which also destroy mindfulness and lead to heedlessness — would also be an offence of Confession. Then there is the general principle of respecting the law of the land (when it accords with Dhamma) so such illegal drugs would be disallowed anyway.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
See also Etiquette and EN 124.
[2]:
It would seem that in order to treat other substances in the same way as alcohol, they should significantly distort or impair ones mindfulness. (As in the Fifth Precept.) Smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee or tea would therefore not normally be included in this rule. However, as lay people are the ones that supply such things, they can decide for themselves what items they consider appropriate to give to bhikkhus. (Certain communities may decide some of these items are unhealthy or addictive and therefore not allow them.)
[3]:
"There is no mention in the Pali canon of any other of the many intoxicating substances which are known today. However, applying the Great Standards, it seems appropriate to include within this guideline all strong mood altering substances, for example, narcotics, hallucinogenics, amphetamines, sedatives, etc. The main thrust of this guideline is not to just refrain from liquor, but rather to refrain from all substances which cause heedlessness, mental confusion and disorientation. In our modern day, pill popping society it may be hard to appreciate the real value of this particular guideline. However, for those serious about the cultivation of mind through meditation exercises, ones ordinary confusion is quite enough to deal with — not to mention compounding it with powerful foreign substances." (HS.ch.17)