Jason wrote:Personally, I don't think that slipping up and indulging in a pint with your mates or girlfriend every once in a while necessarily makes you a hypocrite as much as, well, human. But if I'm wrong about that, then I'm just as much of a hypocrite as Sanghamitta. I occasionally go out and have a pint or two with my mates, even the 'Buddhist' ones. I even killed some ants that invaded my house and were laying siege to my refrigerator after I was unable to get rid of them within the confines of the first precept. I certainly felt terrible about it, but sometimes we're forced to make difficult decisions like that, and I made an 'unenlightened' decision to keep my food safe and my home ant-free.
Well, at least you tried. I probably would have done the same thing. When it comes to mosquitoes, for example, I always try to brush or blow them away first. But nothing is forcing you to drink alcohol.
Regarding intoxicating medicines: Volitional actions drive our kamma. When someone is taking medicine, their intention is to get well, not intoxicated. But when someone is out drinking with their mates, the intention is typically different. Again, in those circumstances, you don't HAVE to drink.
The precepts aren't commandments. You can choose to accept them, deny them, or blow them off. But if you choose to undertake them, why would you want to openly break them if you didn't have to?
Jason wrote:Ben wrote:Hi Jason,
Jason wrote:That's was my initial understanding as well, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe the fifth precept is stricter than that, i.e., it doesn't say, "I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness unless my doctor says it's OK." For example, what if I were to drink a glass of red wine because my doctor says it's good for my heart?
I wouldn't drink it. I would ask him for a non-alcoholic alternative. Garlic is good for your heart too.
Jason wrote:That's interesting. I've recently read studies suggesting that alcohol may have affects which can offset the benefits to your heart, but nothing suggesting that those studies were invalidated. For example, the
National Institute of Health's website states that there's "some evidence that people who drink moderately may be less likely to develop heart disease than those who do not drink at all," and that alcohol may "raise the good kind of cholesterol," but notes that alcohol has also been linked to things like cancer, high blood pressure, raised triglycerides, liver disease, etc. Do you think you could find that study again (if it's online, that is)?
Alcohol ain't the only thing that can improve your health. Lol.
http://www.nativeremedies.com/articles/ ... sease.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are a LOT of medically proven natural remedies available.
So why not try them?