法苑珠林 88.44

88.44

Fifth, concerning the precept against drinking alcohol: The Buddha told the monks: If one says 'I am a disciple of the Buddha,' one must not drink alcohol, not even a single drop on the tip of a blade of grass. There are two kinds of alcohol: grain alcohol and wood alcohol. Grain alcohol is made from various cereals and mixed rice. Wood alcohol is made from roots, stems, leaves, or fruits, or using various seeds, fruits, and herbs mixed together. That which has the color of alcohol, the aroma of alcohol, the taste of alcohol, and when drunk can intoxicate a person, is called alcohol. If one tastes and swallows it, that is also called drinking. If one drinks grain alcohol, one commits an offense with every swallow. If one drinks sour alcohol, sweet alcohol, or eats yeast capable of intoxicating a person, or eats lees, or drinks alcohol dregs, or drinks what resembles the color of alcohol, the aroma of alcohol, or the taste of alcohol that can make a person intoxicated, with each and every swallow one commits an offense. If it merely has the color of alcohol but has no aroma of alcohol and no taste of alcohol, and cannot intoxicate a person, as well as other drinks, none of these are offenses. According to the Four-Part Vinaya: if a sick monk cannot be cured by other medicines and takes alcohol as medicine, it is not an offense. One who is insane, mentally confused, afflicted by illness, and not conscious of it is also not guilty of an offense.