四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.103

3.103

The fifty-first precept on drinking alcohol. The purpose of the institution: alcohol is poisonous water; if consumed, it causes harm. It makes a person's disposition frantic and widely gives rise to all evils, obstructing practice, abandoning cultivation, harming the path, and inviting criticism. As the root of producing troubles, how could it be tolerated without prohibition? Therefore the Sage decreed it. The specific conditions are three: 1. It is alcohol; 2. Absence of severe illness; 3. Drinking immediately constitutes the offense. Below is the proper explanation of the Prātimokṣa text. This precept was instituted because the bhikṣu Svāgata committed a transgression, and thus this precept was instituted. "If a bhikṣu drinks alcohol, it is a prāyaścittika." The complete Prātimokṣa text contains three phrases: first, the transgressor; second, the alcohol consumed; third, drinking and determining the offense. In distinguishing the characteristics, the first phrase can be understood. Second, regarding "drinks alcohol": herein are two parts: first, listing the five kinds of alcohol, as explained in the Vinaya: 1. alcohol from trees, 2. nonglutinous rice alcohol, 3. other grain alcohol, 4. barley alcohol, 5. that made into alcohol by other methods. Second, specifically citing and examining alcohol from trees: the Vinaya states that alcohol from trees is of six kinds: 1. pear juice alcohol, 2. jambu fruit alcohol, 3. sugarcane alcohol, 4. śaluka fruit alcohol, 5. fermenting-yeast juice alcohol, 6. grape alcohol. As for pear alcohol, if made mixed with honey or rock sugar, down to grape alcohol, it is also like this. Third, regarding "prāyaścittika": this determines the offense. The Vinaya states that as long as it is alcohol, down to that made of grasses or trees, even if it lacks the color, smell, or taste of alcohol; or if it is not alcohol but has the color, smell, or taste of alcohol—in all such cases it is not permissible to drink. If alcohol is initially mixed [with other drinks], drinking it when blended in all cases constitutes a prāyaścittika. Sweet and sour alcohol, eating yeast, and distillers' grains are all duṣkṛtas. The Sarvāstivāda Vinaya states that if one drinks what resembles alcohol, sour alcohol, wine lees, or medicine, if the yeast can intoxicate a person, every swallow is a fall (prāyaścittika). The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā states: regarding alcohol, thinking it is alcohol, doubting it is alcohol, or having no notion of alcohol—in all cases it is an offense of falling. If there is no alcohol, but one thinks it is alcohol or doubts, it is in all cases a duṣkṛta. All of these are offenses incurred in grasping the object, meaning that there was prior preparation. Furthermore, one must not forcefully urge another person to drink alcohol: if the other person drinks, the one who urged commits a prāyaścittika; if he does not drink, a duṣkṛta. The Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya states that all fruit syrups that intoxicate people are duṣkṛtas; if yeast and cooked rice are mixed together and eaten, it is a prāyaścittika. The Samantapāsādikā states that if medicine is boiled in alcohol so that it has the smell and taste of alcohol, one commits a duṣkṛta; if it does not have them, one may drink it. The Dharmaguptaka Vinaya states: "Those who take me as their teacher must not put a blade of grass or wood into alcohol and drop it onto the mouth." The Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states that because of subduing a dragon, he received alcohol and became drunk, with his robes and bowl scattered haphazardly, down to the Buddha speaking a verse: "In the past you respected the Buddha, now you cannot respect him; in the past you subdued a poisonous dragon, now you cannot subdue a toad." The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā states: this precept is extremely serious; it can cause the four deadly sins, except for the one of causing a schism in the Saṅgha. Moreover, it can also break all conduct of the precepts and Vinaya, and can cause numerous offenses; therefore the Vinaya strictly institutes it. The Vinaya states: as for non-offense, if one has an illness and other medicines do not effect a cure, using alcohol as medicine, or applying alcohol to a wound—in all such cases there is no offense. The Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states that if a person who formerly had a habit of drinking alcohol does not drink alcohol and his breath ceases and he is about to die, with his food and drink undigested, he is permitted to smell the alcohol vessel; if he does not recover, alcohol is put into cakes or gruel and eaten together; if he does not recover, he is given alcohol to drink, breaking it off gradually.