I've been looking alot into buddhism lately. It seems thus far to be fairly logical in premise (maybe not in the rebirth part so much) but in the idea that by seperating yourself from desire and attatchment to petty things you cease to suffer. I noticed though that one of the staples of the religion is that one should refrain from the 'distasteful' use of intoxicants. To cut to the point, I smoke cannabis on occasion for the purposes of relaxing to reflect on life. I don't smoke to escape reality or anything like that, just to calm my nerves so I can make more cool-headed decisions. So would this be a major hinderance in reaching enlightenment? Your thoughts are all welcome.

quote:Originally posted by OpiateWaste:

I don't smoke to escape reality or anything like that, just to calm my nerves so I can make more cool-headed decisions.

You are escaping the reality of fried nerves. Painkillers help you escape the reality of pain. Half the drugs out there don't do anything but treat symptoms so it is hard to draw the line at what is an intoxicant and what is a medicine.

While one of the Five Precepts is to avoid all intoxicants, I think how this rule is followed depends on your interpretation. My father (a Buddhist), for example, says the key word is intoxication. One can have a glass of wine with dinner (which he does) and not become intoxicated, for example.

If you remember the Five Precepts are Guidelines not Rules- meaning you can get high all you want, but you get enlightened....well maybe for half an hour

quote:Originally posted by Skamoni:

If you remember the Five Precepts are Guidelines not Rules- meaning you can get high all you want, but you get enlightened....well maybe for half an hour

Good point.