“I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness/cloud the mind. (Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami)” –fifth main Buddhist precept
“Warnings about tobacco and narcotics have been revealed as Térmas since early on in Tibet, by the great Tértöns…Warnings about tobacco and narcotics actually cross the spectrum of Vajrayana lineages, and advice on the subject is voluminous.” –from Introduction to Dudjom Rinpoche’s Avoiding the Precipice of Smoking/Drugs
“Understanding this, the wise will render themselves a great kindness by renouncing tobacco and narcotics. In doing so, may the honourable and wise who avoid the path to the precipice have the good fortune of finding respite in the ecstatic garden of liberation.” –Dudjom Rinpoche
In the fifth reel on the main Buddhist precepts (as understood in the Original Buddhist/Pali traditions), I briefly explain what is the reasoning for no intoxicants. This training precept was not suggested because the Buddha did not want people to have fun or relax, or to be a ‘party-pooper’! Quite the opposite in fact. the Buddha taught about the dangers and suffering that comes through consuming intoxicants, which we ourselves can see daily.
Intoxicants are generally considered to include alcohol, drugs, smoking and anything that causes states of intoxication mentally and physically. There are various reasons for refraining from such substances, which I discuss below.
Some teachers, particularly Zen Buddhists, understand the fifth precept to mean refraining from any addictive or compulsive behavior that intoxicates the mind, such as pornography, gambling, shopping, overeating, excessive exercise, unskillful use of the internet, and over-consumption of TV, and other media. However, in this article I will stick to substances consumed for the sake of pleasure and intoxication.
Generally, it is more difficult for laypeople to keep this precept, because such substances are regularly imbibed and provided in social and entertainment contexts. It is easier for monastics to maintain this precept as they then not to be around people or in environments where people consume intoxicants regularly. However, recently it was reported that all the monks from a Thai Buddhist temple were disrobed immediately and sent to rehab, after they had been tested positive for drugs.
This is not just dry ‘preaching’ either, I myself am no stranger to drinking alcohol, smoking and drug consumption, when I lived in London after graduating and worked in the City of London, that was what most people did to socialise and relax (and still do). Thankfully, I discovered how costly and dangerous such a lifestyle is, but also how empty and meaningless, and managed to leave it at all behind at a young age!
Music? The Drugs Don’t Work by The Verve, Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Salvation by the Cranberries.
Health benefits: Psychological and Physical
The most obvious one is health. Alcohol and smoking related diseases such as liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure and cancer (lung and throat) are well-documented by doctors and medical research. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body. Quitting smoking lowers the risk for 12 different cancers and also benefits people diagnosed with cancer.
Emotional health is less obvious but consumption of intoxicants has also been shown to lead to greater levels of depression, anxiety and even mental sicknesses, associated with use of cannabis, heroin, cocaine and psychedelics. Addiction to intoxicants has also been found to be one of the main causes of depression, prostitution/sex work and increased material poverty and instability, as well as relationship and family breakdowns.
Although plant-based drugs like mushrooms and cannabis are considered to be not quite as emotionally and physically damaging as the other drugs, and may even be used in moderation for spiritual purposes to gain access to higher levels of awareness, the also can cause psychological breakdown, attachment and even physical health problems.
Reducing environmental pollution
It has been shown that passive smoking by other causes cancer and respiratory sicknesses, and in addition, is a major pollutant litter in cities, coastlines, oceans and rivers. Cigarette butts are often discarded in such places affecting wildlife and natural sources of water, as well being a major litter issue.
Protecting and improving ethical and social conduct
Another reason is the effect intoxicants have on one’s ethical discipline and conduct, and also make it more difficult to keep the other four main precepts. As we all know, being drunk or high causes all sorts of anti-social conduct, sexual misconduct and aggression.
For example, it has been shown that many violent crimes and fights and domestic violence is caused when people have drunk alcohol as it increases aggression and testosterone. In addition, the lowering of inhibitions can cause people to engage in types of conduct which are not necessarily violent, but which they may regret later and lead to unwanted consequences and even unwanted pregnancies and children.
Economic Benefits: Saving Money
There is also an economic reason for refraining from intoxicants: they cost quite a lot of money for the average person. Alcohol and drugs tend to be quite expensive, as are cigarettes, so not consuming then also saves money.
Blocking serious ‘negative’ influences and hindrances for meditation and yoga practice
Also, it is said in yogic traditions that if one uses intoxicants it leads to less clarity and stability of mind and more fogginess, lethargy and distraction. It also blocks the chakras and thus effects practice and attaining realisations and full enlightenment
The Nyingma teacher, Dudjom Rinpoche gave an important teaching on how smoking tobacco and drugs is one of the worst things a yogi or Vajrayana practitioner could do. Certainly, I have never met a genuine yogi who smokes. Like an environmentalist eating slaughtered animals, they are contradictory.
In addition, the karmic benefits of refraining from intoxicants, in this and future lives, is that one will be less inclined to become addicted to them, or even wish to consume then, and will be less likely to be born or spend time in environments where many people consume them.