Question asked by abe no seimei
Dear Pastors,
I would like to know if we are allowed to consume alcohol after we have taken refuge. I am confused about this point as more senior members of Kechara state that it is absolutely forbidden, while the younger members of Kechara say that it is not within the refuge vows so it is okay to consume alcohol. Please do clarify. Thank you
Hi abe,
One of the five precepts state that one should refrain from taking intoxicants.Intoxicants are substances like alcohol, opiates, hallucigenic drugs etc which blur our mind, and make us lose control.It is a Refuge commitment to keep.
Observing the precepts at this level is how we train our mind to be stronger to resist temptations etc which bring short term pleasure but long term problems. Apart from health/medical reasons,( one should be very sincere not to abuse this exception), one should strictly abstain from alcohol.