LINDA PEER | Zen Wisdom

The precepts are not written in stone. They are guidelines for behavior.

If a person lies in order to gain money, then it is lying and stealign. If a person lies in order to have sex, then it is lying and sexual misconduct. If in lying you are directly responsible for the death of another, then it is lying and killing.

In itself, the fifth precept ─ no alcohol or drugs ─ is not that important. If broken, it can be repented. Most religions have precepts or moral commandments. With minor differences, most of the precepts among the many religions are similar. No religion will say that it is alright to kill, steal, lie or commit sexual misconduct, but only a few sects of some religions, and Buddhism, emphasize abstention from alcohol and drugs. The purpose of the fifth precept is to protect the previous four precepts. When you are intoxicated you are likely to break one or more other precepts.

Furthermore, Buddhism emphasizes wisdom and maintaining a rational attitude toward life. Since alcohol and drugs lead to a loss of judgment and rationality, they are directly opposed to Buddhist principles.

Because it is difficult for many people to take the precepts, I allow for an expedient method. During the precept ceremony, someone who feels unable to uphold a particular precept can refrain from taking it. The precepts are not written in stone. They are guidelines for behavior.

Over the years I’ve explained the five precepts many times. How I explain them depends on the audience and the situation. If I don’t think the audience is capable of strong conviction, then I only point out the extreme situations: don’t kill people, don’t rob banks, don’t be promiscuous, don’t tell people you are a Buddha or a master. If people are more stable, then I will expect more, and I’ll explain the precepts in more depth. I don’t change the meaning of the precepts arbitrarily.

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