The Sin of Drinking Alcohol

The original text of the Fifth Section of the Sutra on the Five Precepts for Upasakas: Elder Sāgata was capable of subduing the evil dragon, compelling it to turn from evil to good. People and birds and beasts were able to approach the dragon palace. When the autumn grains ripened, they were no longer damaged. Because the reputation of Elder Sāgata spread far and wide, everyone prepared food and took turns inviting him. Among them was a poor woman who deeply revered Sāgata and invited Elder Sāgata. Sāgata silently accepted the invitation. This woman then prepared fine curds and milk porridge for him. He received it and ate it. The woman thought to herself, "This monk has eaten fine curds and milk porridge; perhaps he will feel cold." So she fetched wine that resembled water in color and offered it to him. Sāgata drank it without looking. After drinking, he preached the Dharma to her and then left. On his way back to the monastery, the effect of the wine began to manifest. Near the monastery gate, he fell to the ground. His monastic robe, water filter, alms bowl, staff, oil bag, leather sandals, and needle case were scattered in separate places, and his body lay in another place. He was utterly intoxicated and unconscious.

Explanation: Elder Sāgata was capable of subduing the evil dragon, compelling it to turn from evil to good. People and birds and beasts were able to approach the vicinity of the dragon palace. When the autumn rice ripened, it was no longer destroyed. Because the reputation of Elder Sāgata spread, everyone prepared food at home and took turns inviting Sāgata. Among them was a poor woman who deeply revered Sāgata and invited Elder Sāgata. After Sāgata silently accepted the invitation, this woman prepared curds and milk porridge for Sāgata. Sāgata took it and ate it. The woman thought to herself, "This monk has eaten fine curds and milk porridge; perhaps he will feel cold." So she fetched wine that resembled water in color and offered it to Sāgata. Sāgata drank it without seeing what it was. After drinking, he preached the Dharma to this woman and then left. On the way to the monastery, the effect of the wine took hold. Near the monastery gate, he fell to the ground. His monastic robe, water filter, alms bowl, staff, oil bag, leather sandals, and needle case were all scattered in separate places, and his body lay in another place. He was stupefied by intoxication and unconscious.

Original text: At that time, the Buddha and Ānanda were traveling to that place. The Buddha saw this monk and, knowing full well who it was, deliberately asked, "Ānanda, who is this?" Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One, this is Elder Sāgata." The Buddha then said to Ānanda, "Prepare a seat for me here. Fetch water and assemble the Sangha." Ānanda accepted the instruction, prepared the seat, fetched water, and assembled the Sangha. Then he went to the Buddha and said, "World-Honored One, I have prepared the seat, fetched water, and assembled the Sangha." The Buddha, knowing the time, washed his feet and sat down. He asked the monks, "Have you seen or heard of a dragon named Āmrapālita? It was fierce, violent, and harmful. Previously, no one could approach its dwelling. Elephants, horses, cattle, sheep, donkeys, mules, or camels could not approach it. Even birds dared not fly over it. When the autumn grains ripened, it destroyed them. Virtuous man, Sāgata was able to subdue it and make it virtuous. Now people and birds and beasts can approach the spring." At that time, among the assembly, those who had seen it said, "We have seen it, World-Honored One." Those who had heard of it said, "We have heard of it, World-Honored One." The Buddha said to the monks, "What do you think? Can this virtuous man Sāgata now subdue a frog?" They replied, "He cannot, World-Honored One." The Buddha said, "Even a sage who drinks alcohol suffers such a loss, let alone an ordinary worldly person. Such transgressions, or even greater transgressions, all arise from drinking alcohol. From this day forward, if one claims to be a disciple of the Buddha, one must not drink alcohol—not even a drop as small as a blade of grass."

Explanation: At that time, the Buddha and Ānanda were traveling to this place. The Buddha saw this monk and, knowing who it was, deliberately asked: "Ānanda, who is this?" Ānanda replied: "World-Honored One, this is Elder Sāgata." The Buddha then said to Ānanda: "Prepare a seat for me here. Beat the drum to assemble all the monks." Ānanda obeyed the instruction, prepared the seat, beat the drum to assemble the monks, and then said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, I have prepared the seat and assembled the monks by beating the drum." The Buddha knew it was time to teach the Dharma. He washed his feet, sat on the seat, and asked the monks: "Have you ever heard of a dragon named Āmrapālita? It was fierce, cruel, and harmful. Previously, no one dared approach its dwelling. Elephants, horses, cattle, sheep, donkeys, mules, or camels could not approach its vicinity. Even birds dared not fly over its dwelling. When the autumn rice ripened, it destroyed the crops. Virtuous man, Sāgata was able to subdue it and make it virtuous. Now all people and birds and beasts can approach that spring." At that time, among the assembly of monks, those who had seen it said: "We have seen it, World-Honored One." Those who had heard of it said: "We have heard of it, World-Honored One." The Buddha said to the monks: "What do you think? Can this virtuous man Sāgata now subdue fish, shrimp, and frogs?" The monks said: "He cannot, World-Honored One." The Buddha said: "Even a sage who drinks alcohol suffers such a loss, let alone an ordinary worldly person. Such transgressions, or transgressions exceeding this, all arise from drinking alcohol. From this day forward, if one still considers oneself a disciple of the Buddha, one must not drink alcohol—not even a drop as small as the tip of a blade of grass."