How Insistent Are You in Observing Your Fifth Precept?

[Lazy_eye]

E. as well. Generally I avoid alcohol but will sometimes have a glass of wine at family gatherings or drink beer at business/social functions. Although I use the precept as a guideline, I don't claim to be "observing" it at this point.

Was at a family gathering today where wine and beer were served, along with Stewart's Root Beer! I chose the root beer.

[mikenz66]

After my first retreat I had no desire to do anything to mess up the clarity of my mind (not that it's super-clear, mind you! ). So I don't drink at all, but I wouldn't get upset by food cooked with alcohol - it mostly evaporates anyway.


Mike

[Jhana4]

After my first retreat I had no desire to do anything to mess up the clarity of my mind (not that it's super-clear, mind you! ). So I don't drink at all, but I wouldn't get upset by food cooked with alcohol - it mostly evaporates anyway.


Mike

The demographic is heavily single men of college age in another web board I read. A number of them have posted about the use of intoxicants ( mostly pot ) as it relates to meditation. I know new meditators don't have the same experiences as people who have been doing it for a while, but when I think about those posts and the wonderful feelings I get from meditation I can't see even wanting an intoxicant.

[SeekingDharma]

It's quite fitting that this is labeled "F"

F. Do entertain drinks in social gathering, and occasionally drink at home too

Unfortunately, I still have a lot of work to do with this one. I don't have any overuse concerns as it relates to my cultural background, but it's something that is on my radar as needing change. I think one of my biggest struggles is making the jump to avoiding alcohol. I need to begin limitting it, but it will/would be an odd transition for most friends and family members if I were to fully abandon the use of alcohol. I know they would be supportive, though.

[PeterB]

[effort]

not at all, because if i start even with little, stopping would be hard, so for years nothing ... even in gatherings.

[Wizard in the Forest]

For me, it is an A. I do not cook, so if there is alcohol cooked in my food, I will not refuse it.

[manas]

I recently had to join in on a toast to a departed relative. I asked for a 'splash' of the wine in a tiny glass. I raised that glass and sipped about quarter of a standard teaspoon in. Apart from when in medicines, that's the most alcohol I would ever knowingly consume in a year.

As for other mind-clouding drugs, also wouldn't go there. Weed really undermines samma-sati, as I recall. Once, I used to think it enhanced meditation. Now, I know that it only appeared to; to the deluded mind at that time, it appeared to deepen meditation, but actually, it hindered it.

I adore coffee though...luckily caffeine is the one 'drug' we Buddhists are allowed to consume - and I enjoy the best.

[Sanghamitta]

At lunch time on a hot afternoon I just drank a pint of delicious cool beer brewed in a small village near to where we live.
It was refreshing and tasty and did not cloud my consciousness AT ALL . Yum. A second pint, or even half pint might have...so I didnt drink one.

[bodom]

[Sanghamitta]

Not an intentional Bodom. Just a fact. We have a range of responses to alcohol. For those with a problem or for those who become heedless its a no-no.
I can and probably will go weeks before another pint or glass of wine.
My monk mentor knows. He has not suggested drumming me out of the Temple.

[bodom]

Not an intentional Bodom. Just a fact. We have a range of responses to alcohol. For those with a problem or for those who become heedless its a no-no.
I can and probably will go weeks before another pint or glass of wine.
My monk mentor knows. He has not suggested drumming me out of the Temple.

I didn't mean to suggest it was intentional. Its just a bit of a controversial statement to make on a Buddhist forum especially when you emphasize the "AT ALL". I just assumed that there would be some strong opinions on the matter forthcoming.

[Sanghamitta]

People are of course most welcome to their strong opinions on THEIR interpretation of the precept.
I reached my own working view some decades ago.

[farmer]

Option A for a little over a year.

I was a apprehensive about how this would work out socially, but I have been pleasantly surprised to find that the world is pretty accommodating to non-drinkers.

The thing that keeps me going with the precepts is a positive sort of peer pressure. I want to live up to the standard set by the teachers I admire. Keeping the five precepts helps me feel that I am a member of a global community of practitioners, even when I am surrounded by non-Buddhists (which is 99% of the time).

[cooran]

Hello all,

FYI - a previous thread on the 5th Precept:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=87

with metta
Chris

[octathlon]

Lucky for me I don't care for alcohol so I was "observing" this precept even before I had heard of it, except for a few occasions. I did indulge in another intoxicant for quite a while but gave that one up many years ago. I consider myself very fortunate that I don't crave alcohol, as I have seen how difficult it is to deal with for those who have issues with it. May all beings be free from the suffering caused by alcohol.

[danieLion]

A

[Thales]

F. I find that having a few drinks, when alone and in a quiet setting, allows me to eliminate excess mental commentary and "just experience." It is particularly pleasant when watching movies, listening to music, and reading poetry. I typically do this a few times a year. Aside from that I will also drink socially, but never more than 1 or 2.

[Jason]

F. Do entertain drinks in social gathering, and occasionally drink at home too

[Maitri]

A. Not even a sip of alcohol, but allow it to be used as supplementary ingredient in cooking

I don't like alcohol at all, so it is easy for me. Nothing I hate more than being sick and/or feeling dizzy! But, I've had some great meals with a wine sauce.

Smoked pot for a bit in college, but got bored of it and have not used it for some years now.