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because alcohol is a hindrance obstacle and barrier to it.
and if a person for example "desires enlightenment" and has a practice that seeks to cultivate that, well is that desire strong enough to overcome their reluctance and unwillingness to stop drinking booze. a person can watch and observe how this plays out in their own daily life and practice.
One of the discussions that is often had on another forum is about that Precept. And there are two views of that Precept that I have seen argued. One position is that a person most not drink any alcohol...even though the Buddhist Precepts are not commandments; that alcohol will cause a person to break the Precept...because the Precept is not about drinking alcohol; the Precept is about doing unwise things under the influence of alcohol. The other position I have seen argued is that it is okay to drink alcohol, providing that a person does not do unwise things after drinking alcohol...essentially, no harm, no foul.
I have known people in my life who have been able to drink a reasonable amount of alcohol without doing any apparent harm. And I have known people in my life who are not able to drink alcohol without doing something harmful or potentially harmful. Is one drink a year on New Years a problem? In other words, it's not black or white, and it's not YOUR job to judge the Buddhist involved. In fact, Buddha doesn't judge the person...he can't...Buddha is DEAD. He is a role model, and nothing more.
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It is not about drinking or not drinking booze. It is about the attachment and craving for it. A Buddhist would know that because Buddha taught it. It is in fact the primary and central teachings of the Buddha, The Wise One.
Some posters may never get it. It is but karma.
and Buddhism points out that alcohol use results in loss of mindfulness.
"The basic Buddhist teachings on alcohol consumption are quite clear. Alcohol, the Buddha taught more than 2,000 years ago, is a poison that clouds the inherent clarity of the mind. "
'[Lama Yeshe] explained that intoxicants and
meditation don’t go together. “Intoxicants take you away from reality;
meditation takes you toward reality. Which do you want? You are already
intoxicated by ignorance, anger, and attachment and suffer as a result.
Why do you want to take more intoxicants?”
–Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron author, Tibetan Buddhist nun, and founder of Sravasti Avvey
It is not about drinking or not drinking booze. It is about the attachment and craving for it. A Buddhist would know that because Buddha taught it. It is in fact the primary and central teachings of the Buddha, The Wise One.
Some posters may never get it. It is but karma.
yes, good point. shorthand: follow the fifth precept, to keep the other four
"The fifth precept was created as a support for following the rest of the precepts. As anyone who has drunk to excess knows, minding yourself in word and deed is far more difficult, sometimes impossible, when you are intoxicated. The Buddha, in one of the Jataka Tales about his past lives, minces no words when describing the effects of drunkenness:
"The one who drinks this brew will sin in thought, word, and deed. He will see good as evil and evil as good. Even the most modest person will act indecently when drunk. The wisest man will babble foolishly. . . . You will grow accustomed to evil behavior, to lies, to abuse, to filth, and to disgrace."
—Kumbha Jataka: The Fifth Precept, from Jataka Tales of the Buddha: Part III, retold by Ken & Visakha Kawasaki
'[Lama Yeshe] explained that intoxicants and
meditation don’t go together. “Intoxicants take you away from reality;
meditation takes you toward reality. Which do you want? You are already
intoxicated by ignorance, anger, and attachment and suffer as a result.
Why do you want to take more intoxicants?”
–Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron author, Tibetan Buddhist nun, and founder of Sravasti Avvey
regarding "focus on the principles"
enlightenment IS a principle in Buddhism.
and people recognize enlightenment. recognizing it IS proof that it exists.
Not really. "Recognizing" it is proof that people will project their ideal parent (that they never had) onto people wearing robes.
The proof is in the pudding, OP. An Enlightened person will not form personality cults around themselves, will observe good ethics (IOW practicing what they preach), and will display compassion and handle controversy appropriately, using good judgment, otherwise known as wisdom.
Not really. "Recognizing" it is proof that people will project their ideal parent (that they never had) onto people wearing robes.
The proof is in the pudding, OP. An Enlightened person will not form personality cults around themselves, will observe good ethics (IOW practicing what they preach), and will display compassion and handle controversy appropriately, using good judgment, otherwise known as wisdom.
Ah, so you have proof of enlightenment! Have you met any and can recognize they are enlightened? Have you seen the halo?
regarding "focus on the principles"
enlightenment IS a principle in Buddhism.
and people recognize enlightenment. recognizing it IS proof that it exists.
No it isn't. That's just woo.
I've been reading quite a bit the last few days about mystical beings (for wont of a better term) that are 'recognized' and widely believed in Southeast Asia. Nagas, the Monkey God Hanuman, Garuda (a god that is half man, half bird), Erawan (a white elephant god), Ganesha, Kinnara (half bird, half human), Kirtimukha, Ravanna (a demon god), Yaksha demons, and more.
Recognized, in temples all over Thailand and other countries in SE Asia. And not actually existing. And if you think they do, then you need help.
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