梵網經菩薩戒本疏 3.28

3.28

First, regarding the intention behind instituting the precept: again, ten kinds are briefly discerned: 1. Because it accomplishes evil karma in others. That is to say, in stupor and intoxication there is no evil that one does not commit, even capable of committing offenses such as the five deadly sins. As stated in the thirty-six faults of alcohol in chapter fifteen of the Dazhidulun: 'First, practicing unwholesome dharmas.' 2. Because it causes others to lose good practices. That is to say, due to heedlessness from intoxication, unarisen wholesome [qualities] do not arise, and already arisen wholesome [qualities] all perish. The Dazhidulun says: 'Associating with evil people, alienating the worthy and good, being without shame or remorse, not guarding the six sense organs, indulging in sensual lust and heedlessness, and abandoning wholesome dharmas.' 3. Because it harms others. That is to say, it causes others to impair their primary and dependent karmic retribution in the present. The Dazhidulun says: 'Present wealth and property are depleted and exhausted. Why is this? When people drink alcohol and become drunk, their minds have no restraint, and expenditure is without measure. Being without measure, it is the portal to a multitude of diseases and the root of contention; they expose themselves without shame, incur an ugly reputation and evil notoriety, are disrespected by others, speak all concealed and hidden matters to others, their physical strength gradually diminishes, and their complexion is also ruined.' 4. Because it causes the loss of proper etiquette. The Dazhidulun says: 'Not respecting the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha, and not respecting parents, elders, and superiors. Why is this? Because in the daze and stupor of intoxication, one makes no distinctions.' 5. Because it breaks the pure precepts. That is to say, due to stupor and intoxication, none of the classes of precepts are guarded at all. The Dazhidulun says: 'Because it can turn a person into a precept-breaker.' 6. Because it causes the loss of meditative concentration and wisdom. That is to say, intoxication deranges the mind and obscures correct, luminous wisdom. The Dazhidulun says: 'Because it covers and submerges wisdom.' 7. Because it opens the gate of faults and afflictions. That is to say, due to stupor and intoxication, it attracts all afflictions and karmic deeds. The Dazhidulun says: 'Because one becomes angry when one should not be angry.' 8. Because it plants the causes of delusion and madness. That is to say, intoxication in the present causes madness and foolishness in many future lives. The Dazhidulun says: 'It plants the causes and conditions of madness and delusion.' 9. Because it obstructs the noble path. That is to say, because one cannot cultivate any of the practices of the path. The Dazhidulun says: 'Because one becomes far removed from nirvāṇa.' Furthermore, it is like the dragon-subduing bhikṣu who, when drunk, was subdued by a toad on the ground that vomited, and ate its vomit beside its mouth. The Buddha said: 'This person was able to subdue a venomous dragon, yet now cannot even subdue a toad.' 10. Because it causes falling into the evil destinies. The Dazhidulun says: 'When the body breaks up and life ends, one falls into the evil destinies in Niraya; if one attains birth as a human, one will constantly belong to a lineage of the mad.' Because of such various faults, one must not sell it, nor drink it oneself. Furthermore, the Dazhidulun cites a verse: 'Alcohol causes the loss of the characteristics of wisdom and awareness; / The complexion becomes thirsty and foul; / The mind of wisdom is agitated and disordered, / Shame and remorse have already been robbed. / One loses mindfulness and increases anger, / Loses joy and destroys one's clan. / In this way, though called drinking, / It is truly drinking mortal poison. / One gets angry when one should not, / Laughs when one should not, / Weeps when one should not, / Strikes when one should not, / And speaks when one should not. / No different from a madman, / It robs all wholesome merits; / Those who know shame do not drink.'