經律異相 33.18

33.18

祇陀太子白佛言。昔受五戒。酒戒難持畏脫得罪。今欲捨五戒受十善法。佛言。汝飲酒時有何惡耶。答曰。國中豪強時時相率。齎持酒食共相娛樂。以致歡樂自無餘惡。得酒念戒不行惡也。佛言。若人能如汝者終身飲酒有何惡哉。如是行者乃應生福無有罪也。夫人行善凡有二種。一者有漏。二者無漏。有漏善者受人天樂。無漏善者度生死苦。涅槃果報。若人飲酒不起惡業。善心因緣受善果報。汝持五戒有何失乎。舍衛城中有諸豪族剎利公王。因小爭競遂至大怨。各各結謀興兵相伐。兩家並是國中豪傑。皆復親戚非可執錄。紛紜鬪戰不從理諫。深為憂之。復自念言。昔先王大臣名提韋羅。恃其門宗富貴豪強。而見輕慢形調戲弄。當時忿恚實欲誅滅。以事啟父。父又不聽。懷毒抱恨非可如何。懊惱愁悴不能飲食。太后見我憂苦。種種諫曉心猶不息。因覓好酒勸我令飲。時啟母言。先祖相承事那羅延天。今若飲酒恐天必怒。諸婆羅門當見謫罰。母於夜靜時。密開宮門不令人知。逼迫再三俛仰從之。既飲酒已忘去愁恨。召集宮女作倡伎樂三七日中。從是得息。思惟是已。即勅忠臣。令辦好酒及諸甘饍。召諸群臣集王殿上。忠臣辦琉璃椀。椀受三升。王先傾一椀。人辦一椀甘露妙藥。後論國事兼作眾妓。諸人得酒並聞音聲心中歡樂忘失仇恨沛然無憂。王復持椀白諸君曰。士夫修德歷世相承。遵奉聖教不應差違。諸君何為因於小事忿諍如之。若不忍者恐亡國祠。是故重諫幸自宜息。諸臣白王。敬奉重命不敢違也。因是和平酒之功也（出未曾有經下卷）。

Prince Jeta said to the Buddha, "In the past I received the five precepts. The precept against alcohol is difficult to keep; fearing that I might break it and incur guilt, I now wish to renounce the five precepts and accept the Dharma of the ten wholesome deeds." The Buddha said, "When you drink alcohol, what evil comes of it?" He replied, "The prominent and powerful men of the kingdom from time to time gather together, bringing wine and food to entertain one another, thereby creating joy and having no other evil. When taking wine, I remain mindful of the precepts and do not commit evil." The Buddha said, "If anyone could be like you, what evil could there be in drinking alcohol for one's whole life? One who acts like this should only generate merit and will have no sin. Generally, when people practice goodness, there are two kinds: the first is tainted, and the second is untainted. Tainted goodness receives the bliss of humans and gods; untainted goodness delivers one from the suffering of birth and death, [culminating in] the fruit and retribution of nirvāṇa. If someone drinks wine without giving rise to evil deeds, through the conditions of a wholesome mind they will receive a wholesome karmic retribution. What loss is there in your holding the five precepts? In the city of Śrāvastī, there were powerful clan kṣatriyas, princes and lords who, over a petty dispute, eventually developed great enmity. Each plotted and raised troops to attack the other. Both families were heroes of the state, and all were relatives who could not be arrested. Turmoil and war ensued, and they would not heed reasonable admonitions; I was deeply worried about it. I also thought to myself: in the past, a minister of the late king named Tiveīra (Tiweiluō), relying on his noble lineage, wealth, and power, treated me with contempt, teasing and mocking me. At that time I was filled with wrath and truly wished to execute him. I reported the matter to my father, but my father would not consent. Harbouring resentment and malice, there was nothing I could do. In my anguish and grief, I could neither eat nor drink. The queen mother saw my suffering; though she admonished and comforted me in various ways, my mind still would not rest. She then found some fine wine and urged me to drink it. At that time I said to my mother, 'Our ancestors have traditionally worshipped the god Nārāyaṇa. If I now drink wine, I fear the god will surely be angered, and the brāhmaṇas will reprimand and punish me.' In the stillness of the night, my mother secretly opened the palace gate so that no one would know; she pressed me repeatedly, and bowing to her wishes, I complied. Once I had drunk the wine, I forgot my sorrow and resentment. I summoned the palace maidens and made music and entertainment for three times seven days; through this my grief was brought to an end. Having reflected on this, I forthwith ordered my loyal ministers to prepare fine wine and various sweet foods, and summoned all the ministers to gather in the royal hall. The loyal ministers prepared lapis lazuli bowls, each bowl holding three sheng. The king first drained one bowl, and each person was served a bowl of the wondrous medicine of amṛta. Afterwards, they discussed state affairs while various entertainments were performed. Having received wine and hearing the music, the people were filled with joy, forgot their hatred, and became completely carefree. The king then raised his bowl and addressed the lords, saying: 'Gentlemen cultivate virtue through successive generations; adhering to the sacred teachings, you should not deviate from them. Why should you, over a petty matter, engage in such wrathful contention? If you do not bear with one another, I fear the shrines of the state will be lost. Therefore I admonish you earnestly; it is best that you desist of your own accord.' The ministers said to the king, 'We respectfully obey your solemn command and dare not disobey.' Peace was brought about in this way through the power of wine." (Drawn from the lower fascicle of the Adbhutadharmaparyāya-sūtra).