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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:44 am
Are so called mind altering drugs something that would be looked down upon in Buddhism, Jainism, or Hinduism? The other day my friend was telling me about an ecstasy pill (which i took) that is called an orange Buddha and he was saying how Buddhist monks would use it when they meditate, but i was thinking that drugs like that may go against right mind and thinking. I've also taken other things like LSD, Psilocybe mushrooms, and things along those lines, so would that bring me bad Karma engaging in things like that?
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:47 pm
I believe that drugs would go against the 7th and 8th step on the path: 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration and possibly the 6th: 6. Right Effort But mostly I would say the 5th: 5. Right Livelihood Quote: Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:34 pm
Je Suis La Vie I believe that drugs would go against the 7th and 8th step on the path: 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration and possibly the 6th: 6. Right Effort But mostly I would say the 5th: 5. Right Livelihood Quote: Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided. well its not exactly the same as the 5th because I took no part in selling the drugs just obtaining them.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:56 pm
munchkin Je Suis La Vie I believe that drugs would go against the 7th and 8th step on the path: 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration and possibly the 6th: 6. Right Effort But mostly I would say the 5th: 5. Right Livelihood Quote: Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided. well its not exactly the same as the 5th because I took no part in selling the drugs just obtaining them. I would say that taking them would suffice...
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:26 pm
I have often wondered about this myself. I suppose it depends on if you believe them to be harmful intoxicants, or if you feel as if they can be beneficial to your practice.
In the case of LSD or mushrooms, I know first hand how well they can open up awareness and achieve a very positive effect. The thing about hallucinogens, though, is that their effects are very circumstantial. If you are not in good circumstances during your trip, it is not unlikely that you will have a negative experience. You have to be very careful about your intentions when you are using any substance, I think.
Personally, I have found the occasional use of psychedelics to be very helpful in opening my mind. It was during a very powerful mushroom trip that I had my first experience with what I believe to be a glimpse of enlightenment. It filled me with so much inspiration that I resolved to take up the spiritual path that I continue on today.
That said, however, I have also experienced very frightening trips which came about from a blatant misuse of LSD. Those experiences left my badly heart torn and It took me quite a while to recover from the pain I experienced during that time. I was not very wise in my intentions to use the substance. At the time, I had wanted to use the drugs to escape from my mind instead of finding a harmony with it.
Truly, though, I believe that in order to have complete spiritual liberation (which I believe to be the goal of Buddhist practice,) one cannot be reliant on outside substances. I think that they can be a useful tool (especially early on in the path,) but eventually you must learn to find your way without them. Otherwise you will only restrict yourself with attachment to the drug.
I hope that helped smile
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:59 pm
The orange Buddha story is a myth. There are no monks who have taken these capsules while meditating, though there are some stories of odd monks (who aren't following monastic code, mind) who do drink and take intoxicants in their quests for enlightenment. The thing is though, they generally don't get it. At least not in the lifetime they were on the stuff. There is a reason this is dealt with in the fifth precept, after all.
The problem with so-called mind expanding hallucinogens is just that - they are hallucinogens. You don't know what's real and what isn't while you are under their influence, so you cannot be sure of any experience you have while on them. What you think is a hint of enlightenment may be something in the exact opposite direction from it, something that will lead to a dependence on the drug in order to feel that 'good' again. And this is something no one needs.
Edited for Buddhanet:
"The Buddha's main objection to alcohol and indeed to all recreational drugs was that it befuddles consciousness thus making mental development difficult. He also often warned against alcohol's negative social effects. Consequently abstaining from all recreational drugs including alcohol is the last of the five Precepts that all Buddhists are expected to practice."
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:01 pm
In my opinion, I am against most drugs and alcohol. I take the 5th precept as I know it, literally. The way I've learned it is "I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness." Also, partially believing in Cantheism, I feel that marijuana is a good plant and follows suit with Buddhism. I'm not trying to offend any of my fellow Buddhists, but hear me out. Marijuana is a plant that, for most, gives a sense of inner-peace and unity with everyone and everything. It brings people closer together and allows everyone to laugh, enjoy food, and hear music in a whole new way. However, there are some people that marijuana effects negatively and, for that reason, should probably abstain from it. I am a pot-smoker, but I don't just use it for recreation, I use it because yes it does feel good and I feel at peace with everything. I believe it is the plant that is supposed to help bring mankind back to our roots of nature. I also believe it expands the mind and could potentially help one to achieve enlightenment. But like I said, some people it will treat negatively and will actually keep them from enlightenment, but I think that if it's not doing good for your mind, you will know. I have done no other drug aside from Nicotine, Alcohol, and Marijuana. And I have quit Nicotine and Alcohol because neither one of them are viewed as good when humans intake them, in my eyes.
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm
Don't take anything harmful to your health because that is against the Buddha's teachings.
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:32 am
SkaPigeon420 In my opinion, I am against most drugs and alcohol. I take the 5th precept as I know it, literally. The way I've learned it is "I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness." Also, partially believing in Cantheism, I feel that marijuana is a good plant and follows suit with Buddhism. I'm not trying to offend any of my fellow Buddhists, but hear me out. Marijuana is a plant that, for most, gives a sense of inner-peace and unity with everyone and everything. It brings people closer together and allows everyone to laugh, enjoy food, and hear music in a whole new way. However, there are some people that marijuana effects negatively and, for that reason, should probably abstain from it. I am a pot-smoker, but I don't just use it for recreation, I use it because yes it does feel good and I feel at peace with everything. I believe it is the plant that is supposed to help bring mankind back to our roots of nature. I also believe it expands the mind and could potentially help one to achieve enlightenment. But like I said, some people it will treat negatively and will actually keep them from enlightenment, but I think that if it's not doing good for your mind, you will know. I have done no other drug aside from Nicotine, Alcohol, and Marijuana. And I have quit Nicotine and Alcohol because neither one of them are viewed as good when humans intake them, in my eyes. ^ ^ My own post a few days ago. I recently smoked some pot and found that after all the mental training that I've done, I do not enjoy pot as much anymore. I still don't think it is against non-monastic Buddhism, but if you meditate enough and do a lot of mental breakthroughs, pot will kind of just fade away from you.
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