The issue of drinking alcohol was an issue in Buddhism that, like vegetarianism, I found hard to handle. However, unlike the issue of vegetarianism, the Buddhist approach to the consuming of mind altering substances is clear cut. The fifth precept says all Buddhists should abstain from drink and mind clouding drugs.

“Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking intoxicants. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings.” AN 8.39, tr. Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Clearly, if you want to be a Buddhist and follow Buddhist teachings, then abstaining from alcohol is a given, something that you must do before you can move on to address more complex Buddhist teachings. Or is it?

Surely giving up all alcohol goes against the whole concept of the middle way? Yes, abstaining is meant to help you with following the other precepts and keeps your mind clear to realise the four noble truths, but plainly one or two drinks here and there can’t hurt can they?

Well, actually, although I’ve found it to be one of the more difficult aspects of Buddhism to follow, completely abstaining from alcohol has been extremely beneficial for me. Not only has it kept my mind clear but it also gives me a huge sense of achievement when I wake up the next morning not regretting the night before. I never was one for getting absolutely blind drunk and making awful moral decisions, but waking up feeling completely refreshed, not having eaten takeaway at 2 in the morning and ready for a productive day just feels really good in itself.

Secondly, I’m sure my liver has appreciated my not drinking, and my general health has improved, although admittedly I haven’t felt this but I’m sure inside my body is thanking me for not drinking.

Thirdly and perhaps, the best benefit I have felt is the commitment not to drink, and overcoming the urge to drink is the really physical way I have felt committed to my Buddhist beliefs. It is all very well saying ‘I believe in Buddhist principles’ but actually practising them, and applying them when the compulsion to drink comes over me is something else, and the buzz I get from this is easily more of a thrill than any ‘buzz’ alcohol could give me.

Hopefully with time, it will no longer be a conscious decision to turn away from the compulsion to drink. Like with not eating meat and avoiding foods like chocolate I don’t even have to consciously stop myself, because the urge is simply not there. I hope that this urge to drink will cease in time.

The way I overcome this urge is to simply step back and think, will getting drunk really bring me happiness? Or am I selfishly thinking of the short term benefits? I then consider the key Buddhists teachings i.e. emptiness, the Four Noble Truths etc. I cannot recommend enough doing this if you ever felt the urge to do anything which you might regret tomorrow.

Thank you for reading and may compassion and wisdom guide you through suffering.

Picture credit – http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/alcohol