Two Types of Cases Violating the Precept Against Intoxicants

Original Text of the Fifth Section on the Five Precepts for Upasakas: After the Buddha had variously admonished the faults of drinking alcohol, he addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "There are two kinds of alcohol that upasakas must not drink: grain wine and wood wine. Wood wine refers to wine made from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits, or from various seeds, medicinal herbs, and mixed weeds, possessing the color, aroma, and taste of wine, which when consumed can intoxicate a person. This is called wine. If an upasaka tastes and swallows it, it is also considered drinking and constitutes an offense. If one drinks grain wine, it is an offense with each gulp. If one drinks aged sour wine, it is an offense with each gulp. If one drinks sweet wine, it is an offense with each gulp. If one consumes a fermenting agent that can intoxicate, it is an offense with each gulp. If one consumes brewer's grains, it is an offense with each gulp. If one drinks winery sediment, it is an offense with each gulp. If one drinks something resembling the color, aroma, or taste of wine that can intoxicate a person, it is an offense with each gulp. However, if it merely has the color of wine but lacks its aroma and taste, cannot intoxicate a person, and has no other effects, then consuming it does not constitute an offense."

Explanation: After the Buddha used various words to admonish the faults of drinking alcohol, he addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "There are two kinds of alcohol that upasakas must not drink: one is wine brewed from grains, and the other is wood wine. Wood wine refers to wine made from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits of plants, or from seeds, various medicinal herbs, and weeds. If it possesses the color, aroma, and taste of wine and can intoxicate a person when consumed, it is called wine. If an upasaka tastes it and swallows it down the esophagus, it constitutes the offense of drinking alcohol. If one drinks grain wine, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one drinks aged sour wine, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one drinks sweet wine, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one consumes a fermenting agent (the raw material for brewing) that can intoxicate, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one consumes brewer's grains, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one drinks winery sediment, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. If one drinks something resembling the color, aroma, or taste of wine that can intoxicate a person, swallowing it down the throat constitutes an offense. However, if it only has the color of wine but lacks its aroma and taste, cannot intoxicate a person, and has no other side effects, then consuming it does not constitute an offense."