-1

The fifth precept, in Pali, reads

Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

I do not know Pali, but from what I understand, this is literally interpreted as a prohibition against alcohol only. (Avoiding fermented drinks that cause heedlessness).

There are several levels of interpretation that I could see here:

  1. The most literal would be to intepret the precept as being against alcohol only. This level is fermented drink + intoxicant + heedlessness.
  2. The next level might be to intrepret it as prohibiting any substance which could cause heedlessness - although what counts as "heedless" might be open for debate. Does marijuana cause heedlessness, for example?* This level is intoxicant + heedlessness.
  3. The next level would be against any type of substance that causes "intoxication" more broadly speaking. You might argue that marijuana does not cause heedlessness, for example, but it is certainly an intoxicant. Any type of drug which the government forbids you to operate heavy machinery on while under the influence would be an intoxicant. This level is intoxicant alone.
  4. The next level would be against any substance which causes a shift in mental state. This would include things like caffeine, but it looks like most monks allow themselves to drink tea. (Tea also contains L-theanine). Mild over the counter sleep supplements would also count. (It should be noted that nicotine, viewed as a substance alone, seems to be more in category 4 than any other category). This level is a step below “intoxicant,” but still mind altering.

There are other wrinkles as well. What about drugs prescribed by doctors with side effects? Or antidepressants? Psychedelic assisted therapy?

My question here is if there is a consensus as to the correct level of interperation among academic/monks currently practicing.

*I would say yes it does cause “heedlessness”. But the point here is not to debate this; the point is that there might reasonably exist a class of drugs which are intoxicating but do not cause heedlessness.

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
-2

Sura = spirits

Meraya = fermented liquor

Majja = intoxicants

Does marijuana cause heedlessness, for example?

Yes.

You might argue that marijuana does not cause heedlessness

You might try but you cannot.

Any type of drug which the government forbids you to operate heavy machinery on while under the influence would be an intoxicant.

Yes.

What about drugs prescribed by doctors with side effects? Or antidepressants?

Yes. Cause heedlessness & generally prescribed to the heedless.

Psychedelic assisted therapy?

Yes. Intoxicant.

My question here is if there is a consensus as to the correct level of interpretation among academic/monks currently practicing.

No.

Improve this answer
4
  • This answer reads like a dogmatic opinion instead of a well crafted response.
    – Jbag1212
    Sep 12 at 1:54
  • dogmatic = irrelevant
    – Dhamma Dhatu
    Sep 12 at 4:05
  • You would then need to dichotomize what intoxication and headlessness is. So you think someone who has a thimble or less full of 0000.1% proof of alcohol is then headless? Does eating a semi unripe apple then make you headless? What about eating a bad apple? The point here is headlessness, which in an extreme level for a hardened alcoholic could mean 7 litres of 50% proof spirits until they reach the point of headlessness. Headlessness is the issue, not the consumption of the intoxicant. The quantity or quality of the intoxicant is then left up to the individual meditator to judge,
    – Remyla
    Sep 23 at 19:57
  • Though of course for sangha any amount of intentional intoxication is a break of the precept and it is wise for the laity to completely stay away from intoxication. Though I have never heard of the Buddha saying or the sangha saying a person should not take medication prescribed by a doctor for an illness, and even if that medication required anaesthesia or morphine which would indeed cause headlessness, how is this a breaking of the precept?
    – Remyla
    Sep 23 at 20:00

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .