The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Buddhist ethical conduct including the Five Precepts (Pañcasikkhāpada), and Eightfold Ethical Conduct (Aṭṭhasīla).
adamposey
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by adamposey »

Kare wrote:
retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Adam,

The easy part first... tobacco is not a violation of the precepts.

OK... for the fifth precept..
Suramerayamajjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami:
I observe the precept of abstaining from intoxicants that cloud the mind and cause carelessness.
Sorry, but that translation is not good enough.

The best way of translating this sentence, is to start from the end.

samadiyami = I undertake
sikkhapadam = the training precept
veramani = of abstaining from

Now for the long compound:
suramerayamajjappamadatthana

This is a compound made up from sura + meraya + majja + pamada + thana

sura and meraya are two different alcoholic drinks. Sura may be a kind of beer, and meraya maybe some kind of cider. Anyway, both are alcoholic.

majja = either intoxication or intoxicant drink
pamada = indolence, carelessness, negligence, intoxication

majja and pamada are practically synonyms here

now for the last member of the compound: thana. This word means "condition".

So, suramerayamajjappamadatthana is literally "beer-cider-carelessness-intoxication-condition".

In order to make this into a more idiomatic English, we have to start from the end: "the condition of intoxication and carelessness caused by beer and cider"

So what then does the precept say? It says: I undertake the training precept of abstaining from the condition of intoxication and carelessness caused by beer and cider (or, alcoholic drinks).

This is the literal meaning of the precept. Not to abstain from the drinks, but to abstain from the condition of intoxication.

You may say that as soon as you drink, you will get intoxicated, so that the wise thing is to abstain from the drinks in order to abstain from intoxication. I fully agree on this point. The sensible thing is not to get drunk, and in order not to get drunk it is wise not to drink.

But if you know yourself so well that you know that you can take a small glass of wine or beer without getting drunk - and stop there! - the precept is definitely not broken.
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enkidu
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by enkidu »

As has probably been said countless times before, we easily rationalize allowances for our attachments.
adamposey
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by adamposey »

enkidu wrote:As has probably been said countless times before, we easily rationalize allowances for our attachments.
I think it's very important to, for the most part, give up alcohols and other things. The reason I ask is because it is so culturally engrained that sometimes NOT having a drink would be rude. Or perhaps you're in a place like Italy where the default is to drink a small amount of alcohol. I don't think social drinking would be proper, nor would getting drunk.
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Jechbi
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Jechbi »

Kare wrote:So what then does the precept say? It says: I undertake the training precept of abstaining from the condition of intoxication and carelessness caused by beer and cider (or, alcoholic drinks).

This is the literal meaning of the precept. Not to abstain from the drinks, but to abstain from the condition of intoxication.
I'm skeptical about this translation of the traditional precept language. Maybe it's not just that sura and meraya cause pamada (which this translation presupposes), but rather that sura and meraya go hand-in-hand with pamada by necessity and are inextricably linked together, and that that reality will always be the thana from which to abstain? Which might read something like this: I undertake the training precept of abstaining from the condition of intoxication and carelessness and beer and cider (one unit, one thana). I don't know, I'm no Pali scholar, but my translation alternative doesn't appear to insert elements that aren't plainly there.

In any case, if discerning the true meaning of the traditional precept language is as easy as chopping up the root words and putting them back together with English translations, then I would like to know where the "caused by" part comes from in the translation offered in the quote above.
adamposey wrote:I think it's very important to, for the most part, give up alcohols and other things.
The problem that I see with this "moderation" interpretation of the precept is it is not in accord with clear sutta teachings, such as this one from AN 8.39:
Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking intoxicants.
:reading:
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
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Kare
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Kare »

Jechbi wrote:Where did you get the words "caused by" for your rendering? I don't see that in the Pali, but maybe it's implicit somehow? :thanks:
In composite words the word-elements can have different relations between them, and Sanskrit and Pali grammarians developed a detailed categorizing of those relations. English is a far more analytical language with few composite words, so the relations between the elements have to be expressed in other ways. I'd say that "caused by" is helpful for expressing the relation between those elements in English.
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Kare »

In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate.

The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.

The translation and analysis of the precept text should be objective, based on an understanding of Pali grammar.

And the precept is very clear. It talks about abstaining from intoxication. The second you get intoxicated, you are breaking that precept. Whatever else you do - as long as you are not intoxicated - you are not breaking than precept. It's as simple as that.

Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
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adamposey
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by adamposey »

Jechbi wrote:
Kare wrote:So what then does the precept say? It says: I undertake the training precept of abstaining from the condition of intoxication and carelessness caused by beer and cider (or, alcoholic drinks).

This is the literal meaning of the precept. Not to abstain from the drinks, but to abstain from the condition of intoxication.
I'm skeptical about this translation of the traditional precept language. Maybe it's not just that sura and meraya cause pamada (which this translation presupposes), but rather that sura and meraya go hand-in-hand with pamada by necessity and are inextricably linked together, and that that reality will always be the thana from which to abstain? Which might read something like this: I undertake the training precept of abstaining from the condition of intoxication and carelessness and beer and cider (one unit, one thana). I don't know, I'm no Pali scholar, but my translation alternative doesn't appear to insert elements that aren't plainly there.

In any case, if discerning the true meaning of the traditional precept language is as easy as chopping up the root words and putting them back together with English translations, then I would like to know where the "caused by" part comes from in the translation offered in the quote above.
adamposey wrote:I think it's very important to, for the most part, give up alcohols and other things.
The problem that I see with this "moderation" interpretation of the precept is it is not in accord with clear sutta teachings, such as this one from AN 8.39:
Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking intoxicants.
:reading:
I have to wonder if, perhaps, that translation is mis=worded as well.
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by PeterB »

Kare wrote:In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate.

The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.

The translation and analysis of the precept text should be objective, based on an understanding of Pali grammar.

And the precept is very clear. It talks about abstaining from intoxication. The second you get intoxicated, you are breaking that precept. Whatever else you do - as long as you are not intoxicated - you are not breaking than precept. It's as simple as that.

Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
With respect, I think that is sophistry.

:anjali:
adamposey
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by adamposey »

PeterB wrote:
Kare wrote:In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate.

The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.

The translation and analysis of the precept text should be objective, based on an understanding of Pali grammar.

And the precept is very clear. It talks about abstaining from intoxication. The second you get intoxicated, you are breaking that precept. Whatever else you do - as long as you are not intoxicated - you are not breaking than precept. It's as simple as that.

Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
With respect, I think that is sophistry.

:anjali:
The reason abstaining from alcohol strikes me as a weird precept is that it's not normal for the Buddha to have outlawed something completely for his followers.
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Kare
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Kare »

PeterB wrote:
Kare wrote:In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate.

The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.

The translation and analysis of the precept text should be objective, based on an understanding of Pali grammar.

And the precept is very clear. It talks about abstaining from intoxication. The second you get intoxicated, you are breaking that precept. Whatever else you do - as long as you are not intoxicated - you are not breaking than precept. It's as simple as that.

Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
With respect, I think that is sophistry.

:anjali:
Do you really think it is sophistry to strive for an exact and precise translation of the words of the Buddha?
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PeterB
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by PeterB »

I think its sophistry to arrive at a translation which may be accurate to the letter but misses the spirit. The Buddha was a) A Buddha and B) Not a product of Northern European logic.

:anjali:
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Kare »

PeterB wrote:I think its sophistry to arrive at a translation which may be accurate to the letter but misses the spirit. The Buddha was a) A Buddha and B) Not a product of Northern European logic.

:anjali:
Was he a product of Northern European puritanism?
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Jechbi »

Hello Kare and Adam,
Kare wrote:In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate. The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.
I very much agree with you on this point. With respect, another aspect that should be kept separate is provocative language about other posters.
Kare wrote:Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
Although I have a different understanding than you have, I do not regard my understanding as pious, nor as an attempt to twist the translation, nor as a fraud.

My personal view is that I think the precept should be exactly as it is, neither stronger nor weaker, and if I misunderstand the precept, then I will adjust my own understanding, not try to tinker with the precept. I assume you feel the same way, and I assume others here also are engaged in efforts to arrive at a closer understanding of Dhamma, not in some pious fraud, as you put it. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt, please.
adamposey wrote:I have to wonder if, perhaps, that translation is mis=worded as well.
It very well may be, and I'm not going to defend it strenuously.
adamposey wrote:The reason abstaining from alcohol strikes me as a weird precept is that it's not normal for the Buddha to have outlawed something completely for his followers.
This reflects a misunderstanding of the precepts. Just as the Buddha did not "outlaw" lying or stealing or killing living beings, he did not "outlaw" taking intoxicants. Rather, the Buddha very compassionately pointed out that these behaviors harm ourselves and others. It is up to us how we choose to behave. The precepts are not the same as religious commandments or laws imposed by government.
________________________

With deepest respect, Kare, I would ask you to address this following concern that I raised earlier:
Jechbi wrote:The problem that I see with this "moderation" interpretation of the precept is it is not in accord with clear sutta teachings, such as this one from AN 8.39:
Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking intoxicants.
If it is true that the precept involves moderation rather than abstaining from intoxicants, then how do you square that with clear sutta teachings that point to abstention?

:anjali:
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
adamposey
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by adamposey »

Jechbi wrote:Hello Kare and Adam,
Kare wrote:In this debate there are two different aspects that should be kept separate. The first aspect is the precept. The second is our personal views.
I very much agree with you on this point. With respect, another aspect that should be kept separate is provocative language about other posters.
Kare wrote:Some may feel that the precept should be stronger, and they might wish to lay down a prohibition about taking that drink that may lead to intoxication. And that may be a quite sensible interpretation. But the precept as we have it, does not say this, and to twist the translation in order to make the precept say what we want it to say, is nothing but pious fraud.
Although I have a different understanding than you have, I do not regard my understanding as pious, nor as an attempt to twist the translation, nor as a fraud.

My personal view is that I think the precept should be exactly as it is, neither stronger nor weaker, and if I misunderstand the precept, then I will adjust my own understanding, not try to tinker with the precept. I assume you feel the same way, and I assume others here also are engaged in efforts to arrive at a closer understanding of Dhamma, not in some pious fraud, as you put it. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt, please.
adamposey wrote:I have to wonder if, perhaps, that translation is mis=worded as well.
It very well may be, and I'm not going to defend it strenuously.
adamposey wrote:The reason abstaining from alcohol strikes me as a weird precept is that it's not normal for the Buddha to have outlawed something completely for his followers.
This reflects a misunderstanding of the precepts. Just as the Buddha did not "outlaw" lying or stealing or killing living beings, he did not "outlaw" taking intoxicants. Rather, the Buddha very compassionately pointed out that these behaviors harm ourselves and others. It is up to us how we choose to behave. The precepts are not the same as religious commandments or laws imposed by government.
________________________

With deepest respect, Kare, I would ask you to address this following concern that I raised earlier:
Jechbi wrote:The problem that I see with this "moderation" interpretation of the precept is it is not in accord with clear sutta teachings, such as this one from AN 8.39:
Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking intoxicants.
If it is true that the precept involves moderation rather than abstaining from intoxicants, then how do you square that with clear sutta teachings that point to abstention?

:anjali:
Perhaps not as much a misunderstanding as a communication failure. Breaking the precepts would cause a bhikku to be apart from the order, no? As such that would be a kind of law. Now, I am not a Bhikku and as such I can do what I like without any rigid social repercussions clearly defined by a set of rules (for the most part). What I mean is that the training precepts do not strike me as "rigid" until you come to the one about alcohol. That is: In common translation the other precepts use words like "refrain" as opposed to "abstain" and so on. This makes the alcohol precept stand out to me as particularly strict and demanding against the backdrop of the others.

I also believe we should clearly define the results of not following the precept. In common discussion the attitude put forth by many is "drinking alcohol will hold you back from achieving nibbana." Which, to me, is about the equivalent of threatening a person with punishment.

I think an appropriate comparison is with meat. The precepts say to avoid killing a thing, and so many Buddhists choose to simply become vegan to reduce their "kammic footprint" as it were. This is a strict and rigid rule, one which the Buddha had to work around by giving some general rules about meat which are strict and rigid, but don't deny that meat is a part of the lives of many.

I'm just saying I was never struck by the Buddha as a strict teacher who typically used words like "abstain" except in extreme circumstances. Rather he seemed to be a principled teacher who understood the way of balancing the world's ways with being enlightened and working towards that goal.
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Re: The Casual Drink Or About That One Precept...

Post by Jechbi »

Hi Adam, did you read the Five Faultless Gifts sutta that I referenced a few posts ago?
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
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