Mon 13 Jul 2009
What would Buddha smoke?
Posted by Michael McAlister under Writing
[2] Comments
Shambhala SunSpace offers up The Smoking Monk:
The fifth precept of Buddhism tells us to “refrain from taking intoxicants.” This seems pretty clear. However, a decade ago, if we asked the monks in Cambodia whether Buddhist should smoke, many of them would have excused it. Now those numbers are starting to decline.
The vow I took at my Jukai read,”refrain from abusing intoxicants.” Is there a difference? Is the vow broken if I, or anyone else, smokes an occasional cigar? Drinks the occasional beer, wine, or cocktail?
Interesting questions although there seems so much release comes from letting our lives embody unattached moderation and celebration as we move in the world.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I look to The Middle Way as my guide. Walking the path between all extremes. I have not take Jukai, but Daido Roshi/ZMM’s version of Juaki contains “Do not cloud the mind”.
All substances alter the mind, it’s just about effect and degree.
I don’t drink, I don’t eat meat. Nothing sacred about it, I don’t like the way the work on me. I’ll go months at a time without drinking coffee as well. Again, no reason, just what works for me.
I do like smoking marijuana from time to time. I do like getting addicted to things. I see both of these for what they are and exercise the power of letting go, like I would/do with anything else.
There’s a lot of pain around Buddhism and drugs. To me it’s simple and lived; moderation and awareness.
Great topic. My question the other day was alluding to this. Feel free to critique my thoughts here.
Gassho,
Wade
July 16th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
The very concept of a vow is itself dualistic; it implies both a split self and a self split from the void.
The very same can be said of an aspiration.
With this understanding, vows and aspirations and the like can be useful tools as we move along the path. They can help move us forward, and they can help us not stray.
But as we continue to move further along the path, one by one they vanish.