法苑珠林 93.25

93.25

又舍利弗問經云。舍利弗白佛言。云何世尊。說遮道法。不得飲酒如葶藶子。是名破戒。開放逸門云何。迦蘭陀竹園精舍有一比丘。疾病經年危篤將死。時優波離問言。汝須何藥。我為汝覓天上人間乃至十方。是所應用我皆為取。答曰。我所須藥是違毘尼。故我不覓。以至於此。寧盡身命無容犯律。優波離言。汝藥是何。答言。須酒五升。優波離曰。若為病開如來所許。為乞得酒。服已消差。差已懷慚。猶謂犯律。往至佛所。殷勤悔過。佛為說法。聞已歡喜得羅漢道。佛言。酒有多失開放逸門。飲如葶藶子犯罪已積。若消病苦非先所斷。

Furthermore, the *Śāriputraparipṛcchā-sūtra* states: "Śāriputra addressed the Buddha, saying: 'How is it, World-Honoured One, that you taught the Dharma obstructing the path: one must not drink liquor even the size of a mustard seed, for this is called breaking the precept and opening the gate to heedlessness; yet why is it that in the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove monastery there was a bhikṣu who had been ill for years, critically ill and near death? At that time, Upāli asked him: "What medicine do you need? I will search for it for you in heaven, among humans, and even throughout the ten directions; whatever is necessary, I will obtain it for you." He replied: "The medicine I need violates the Vinaya; therefore I have not sought it, reaching this point. I would rather end my life than have any violation of the Vinaya." Upāli said: "What is your medicine?" He replied: "I need five pints of liquor." Upāli said: "If it is permitted for illness, it is allowed by the Tathāgata." He begged and obtained the liquor for him. Having taken it, his illness cleared and was cured. Having been cured, he felt ashamed, still thinking he had violated the Vinaya. He went to the Buddha's dwelling and earnestly repented his fault. The Buddha preached the Dharma for him; upon hearing it, he rejoiced and attained the state of an arhat. The Buddha said: "Liquor has many faults and opens the gate to heedlessness. Drinking even the size of a mustard seed accumulates guilt. But if it cures the suffering of illness, it was not previously prohibited."'"