Buddhism and Marijuana

great topic

Recently, I've been listening to a lecture about the brain and what hinders brain function.

Blows to the head (especially from playing soccer and football) have a terrible cumulative effect. Dehydration takes a toll, too -- the brain is approximately 80 percent water. Poor nutrition makes it hard for your brain to function optimally.

And drugs really don't help, either. Alcohol, in addition to impairing motor skills and brain function, also dehydrates and disrupts deep sleep. Coffee is bad for your brain, too -- caffeine essentially tricks your brain into thinking it's fully awake when it's not. It also impairs sleep, which your brain needs. Likewise, marijuana and tobacco smoking impairs brain function and blood circulation.

So, Buddhist precepts aside, most of us probably are not taking very good care of our brains when we sleep and eat poorly, don't drink enough water and consume alcohol, coffee and other substances that mess with our brains.

Now, if we truly loved and appreciated our brain, and understood how fantastically complex and miraculous the organ is, we would probably behave differently. But we don't. (I'm craving a cup of coffee right now.)

As far as precepts, Nichiren Buddhists generally cite the "diamond chalice" or unbreakable precept of upholding the Lotus Sutra. What are the implications of such a precept, if it obliterates the need for all other precepts? Does it mean "anything goes"? That doesn't sound quite right.... anyone care to delve into this more?

Anyway, as far as "lifestyle issues" are concerned, independent Nichiren Buddhists generally have a live-and-let-live attitude.

I look forward to reading comments from others on this topic.

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by: buddhajones @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 16:44:26 PM CDT

An old hippie outs himself

For me this is a no-brainer.  I do take issue with the generic contention in the first post that "marijuana and tobacco smoking impairs brain function."  Though I would admit that any substance ingested in excess may impair brain function, there is little evidence to indicate this is so with cannabis.  There is evidence that it lowers libido (but at my age, I barely notice it) and affects short term memory, particularly when used daily.

However, I have been smoking for 43 years (save the 13 years from 1969-1982 when my NSA (SGI) leaders forbade me) and I recently completed my MA in Adlerian psychology with a 4.0 GPA.

More importantly, as an avowed atheist until age 18, when I started taking acid and smoking marijuana, I credit these two substances with allowing me to follow a path that led me straight to Nichiren.  To lump psychoactive, psychedelic consciousness expanders such as LSD, mescaline, and cannabis in with any other kind of drug or substance is just silly... they take your brain and consciousness in a totally different direction.  For more info, read Braden's "The Private Sea" or Huxley's "The Doors of Perception."

Granted some use marijuana to get high, get the munchies and giggle and that is fine, I suppose.  However, for me, marijuana is a sacrament, as it was for Bob Marley. Smoke it and, not only does daimoku become even more beautiful and profound, but the world itself becomes a more coherent place in which evidence of both myoho and the private pursuit of my own enlightenment become more evident. I can guarantee you that, for me at least, marijuana does not impede my quest for enlightenment.  Neither, I might add, does it add to my enlightenment (that is reserved only for the power of Daimoku), but it does make me appreciate my quest and sometimes reveals answers that I was not expecting.

For those who may know of my previous career consisting of loving the Gosho and lecturing on it while employed by NSA (SGI), you should also know that the experience that "cracked" Nichiren's writings for me was lining up the writing on "The True Entity of Life" (Shoho Jisso Sho) on the floor of my apartment and reading it over and over, higher than a kite, until, at 2 in the morning, the life of Nichiren communicated to me like a lightning bolt and every Gosho since then has made perfect sense -- this was in 1977.   The insights and truths I gained that night have lasted me a lifetime and fuel my quest to this day... I have deep reverence for the perceptions gained from smoking (or vaporizing) cannabis.

Then again, that's just my experience...  

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by: crisro @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 17:56:57 PM CDT

Marijuana and Buddhism

I was quite the pot smoker, for reasons Chris notes, when I started practicing in 1970.  One of the first questions I asked them when I was shakubukued was, "Can I chant for pot and get that?"  They said, "Sure. But, you will come to know what value it really has in your life."  "Fine," I thought, "this is my kinda philosophy!!"  And I did chant for pot and I got plenty and sort of went overboard and really experienced being really stoned, at appropriate times at home, listening to music and such.

A few years went by and then one day, I lit up after gongyo and the high I got was not as good as the gongyo I had just done by myself.  "Hmmm", I thought, "that's interesting."  After that, I pretty much lost my taste for it, as my gongyos got better and finally, I cleared out my last stash.  I don't miss it or even think of it any more, but I understand what Chris is saying about his experience.  It does have that ability to sharpen the senses acutely, and that can be a valuable learning experience.

Armchair
_,.___

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by: Armchair @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 18:27:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Budding Insight

There should be zero conflict in using marijuana and your Buddhist practice. The SGI used to stress that you cannot be a leader and smoke marijuana. These same leaders had no problem drinking alcohol. To be fair, the reason marijuana was demonized was because it was illegal and the organization did not want to be known as a haven for pot smokers.

From a spiritual standpoint, marijuana can be either a sacrament or the path to idiocy, depending on one's intention. It is a well known fact that Buddhists and Hindus, both priests and laymen, have used cannabis, hashish, and mushrooms as expedients to their practice for thousands of years.

Personally, I am all for it for both insight and recreation. Just don't get behind the wheel of a car or operate heavy machinery. One needs to use their wisdom. Quite frankly, I know a great many leaders who really need to fire one up. Why in hell do you think one of "its" nick name is "Buddha?"

Charles

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by: gakkoren @ Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 21:25:12 PM CDT

Not a drug fan

I am an old prude. My pre-recorded response to this question is rather predictable, I'm afraid.

1. Smoking marijuana is not a shortcut to enlightenment. People who smoke pot are no more enlightened than others, and no less.

2. Smoking marijuana is sometimes medically necessary, as is taking other prescription medication such as antidepressants or heart pills. Some say that one should shun all such substances if one is to practice correctly. This is presumptuous and foolish. If you need medication, take your medication.

3. Needing to get high for the sake of getting high is a problem -- regardless of the substance you use to get high, zone or trip out. Becoming dependent on a substance that is not medically necessary is a problem. Even if the substance seems as harmless as sugary cupcakes. Buddhism deals with this in terms of craving. What is it, truly, that you crave?

4. Marijuana and booze are different substances and have different effects on people. However, people who smoke a lot of marijuana and people who drink a lot of alcohol -- to the point where they fetishize or romanticize it or cannot go a day without a drink or smoke -- these people do have something in common. They will tell you that they don't have a problem. They enjoy the substance of their choice and, in fact, it makes them a better person. Do not take their word for it. Instead, ask that person's spouse, children, siblings, loved ones if that person is better because of everyday, recreational drug use. You will probably get a conflicting answer.

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by: auntie @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 13:54:23 PM CDT

Too much information

I realize that I might be oversharing. I notice that when I want to drink and get buzzed it's not because I'm craving beer. It's more like I'm coping with something. I'm nervous about a situation, or I feel like I've had a hard day, or I'm anticipating a hard day. Getting a buzz is like taking a time out. For me it's not about craving. It's about avoiding something.

I notice a similar pattern when I avoid chanting or I skip gongyo. There's soemthing I would rather not have to face right at that moment. I want to avoid. Sitting in front of the gohonzon and doing daily practice makes you show up and face stuff. So does strict sobriety.

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by: mroaks @ Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 16:46:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Reality Tunnels

I am inclined, based on direct, first hand experience, to side with Robert Anton Wilson, Timothy Leary, Aleister Crowley, Dr, Lilly, an the others, that cannibis is an awakening tool that opens higher brain function reality tunnels that enhance higher consciousness. These states of consciousness are activated by cannabis and other satori inducing substances.

The brain is a biochemical processing unit. Cannabis turns on a switch in the brain, making it possible to gain insight that is tuned out in ordinary consciousness. Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" thoroughly investigates this subject as does Andrew Weil's "The Natural Mind."

From a personal standpoint, I am compeletly against anyone under the age of 19 experimenting with these expedients and I am against people using them and creating problems for their family or society. But, as a consenting adult, or proper age and with the right intention, I believe that such tools as cannabis and psychedlics can be of immense benefit to personal understanding and spiritual advancement.

Since these substances are illegal, one must weight the consequences of being caught with the benefits of experience. Once one reconciles this cunundrum, I believe they should be able to reap whatever benefit (if any) that using these substances might yield.

I want to stress that I am against irresponsible use of these substances that imperil others or cause family discord. Adolescents should recieve accurate education instead of hysterical, lying information to scare them with mistruths to further societal or politcal agendas.

There are some people, like myself who witnessed alcoholism destroy their family, although it was legal. There are some who woould like to relax with something other than an alcoholic beverage. There are couples who might enjoy smoking a joint before sex, to heighten their arrousal. And there are others who are diabetic or have medical conditions that cannabis is the best remedy.

I see absolutely no conflict using cannabis and practicing any religion. It may, in fact enhance meditation and has. If one does not use it as some habitual crutch, the greatest problem is the legal one.

I remember a very senior leader who joined NSA to overcome the prolonger side effects of a major freak out when he took mescaline. After hearing his clap trap for so many years I finally told him that I would not take guidance from some yahoo who couldn't handle a hit of mescaline. I know that is off subject, but it is a point that I want to make. Just say "Know."

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by: gakkoren @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 16:50:33 PM CDT

Why do think they call it dope?

Anyone who smokes pot is an idiot. Anyone who smokes tobacco and call himself a healer is a fraud.

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by: Cultmember @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 22:57:52 PM CDT

Thoughtful

Thank you, CM, for your succinct, informed, and thoughtful reply.

Armchair

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by: Armchair @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 23:42:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What a genius

"Anyone who smokes pot is an idiot. Anyone who smokes tobacco and call himself a healer is a fraud."

Reminds me of my old Seventh Day Adventist neighbor who said, "If God wanted you to smoke he would have put a chimmney on your head!"

I'm proud to be an idiot and a fraud. Please take pride in your own moronhood!  

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by: gakkoren @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 06:50:31 AM CDT

Not a brain thing

Hey everyone, this is a good discussion. One point that puzzles me is the underlying assumption that enlightenment is something that happens in the brain. I'm not so sure of this.

Naturally, I think of the Buddhist story of Suri Handoku, two brothers who were so stupid that they didn't know which one was Suri and which was Handoku. Both attained enlightenment not due to their brians but by devotion to Shakyamuni and the repetitive physical task of sweeping the stairs. (If I recall correctly.)

Attitudes or inspiration that arise from drug use, no matter how profound or seemingly wonderful, are not enlightenment, IMO. In terms of ichinen sanzen, I would say that these experiences might put a person more in touch with learning and realization, and maybe even bodhisattva if the drug use genuinely makes you a more caring, selfless, kind person. (Per auntie's comment, that's a big "if.")

But Buddhahood, or enlightenment, as I understand the mutual possession of the ten worlds, is something beyond yet within all ten worlds, from hell on up.

Buddhahood is a total-body workout, an all-chakra event, if you will. The sutras talk of light shining from every pore of the body of a Buddha, and physical characteristics even more dazzling. So something tells me that the brain is not the sole repository of Buddha nature.

I was just rereading Nichiren's Opening of the Eyes, so maybe that's why I think this point is relevant to this discussion: The Juryo chapter of the Lotus Sutra, according to Nichiren, reveals the essential teaching of the Lotus. This teaching is, of course, that Shakyamuni attained enlightenment countless eons prior to his incarnation in India. So, too, common mortals are Buddhas from the beginningless past.

Hard to believe, as Nichiren explains time and again.

This essential teaching confounds the brain and our sense of linear time and our general assumption that enlightenment is something toward which one can make progress. To me it seems that the Lotus aims to trip up or completely jam the discursive, sense-making, spatial and temporal functions of the brain.

Meaning, enlightenment is not a function or product of knowledge, insight, mystic vision or intellectual understanding. That's my general contention, here.

Sorry if these points are somewhat disjointed and offhand. I'm thinking out loud.

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by: deardenver @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 13:14:22 PM CDT

Brain focus

I started the comments by talking about brain function and pot, so I'm sorry if I sidetracked the discussion into focusing on the brain.

The initial post on this thread noted that the fifth precept is about abstaining from things that might lead to careless behavior. This is a good angle from which to look at the question of drug use, drinking, etc.

In terms of cause and effect, we usually want to avoid suffering. If you've ever said or done something stupid while drinking, you know what I mean -- sometimes drinking (and perhaps pot) makes a person more prone to making causes that create or prolong suffering.

From this point of view, it makes sense to abstain from alcohol or similar substances. (Not that I do.) Maybe it helps to look at the precepts as practical, cause-and-effect advice rather than moral judgments that "drugs are bad" etcetera.

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by: buddhajones @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 15:34:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Relativity

What was it I heard?  "All things in moderation, including moderation."  As long as one continues to be mindful and do no harm, drive not drunkenly, be not cruel.  Sometimes there comes a time to just chill.  There's got to be a break sometimes, a time to rest, a time to maybe learn in a new way, a time for someone else to watch over the night, so one can  gather strength for a new day.

Armie, so tired this day...
_,_.__

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by: Armchair @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 18:49:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hear, hear

DD--I think you are so right on in this.  As the discussion suggests... there are so many varied opinions on this subject and I find it interesting that this topic has struck more nerves and responses than some of the recent, more prosaic, academic topics.  And this, of course, is what Buddhism is all about -- the totality of our reality and, just as our "brains" cannon encompass that totality, it is nonsense to think that enlightenment is simply an affair of intellect and rationalization. This is why Nichiren warned about the trap of two life-conditions of learning and realization -- nijo -- the delusion attendant to those worlds that one is already enlightened and which prevent that person from moving into the world of bodhisattiva.

Each of our enlightenments may or may not involve the usage of cannabis, but it is in our evolving respectful relationships and conversations that true Buddhism reveals itself.  Well, when it comes to drugs, sex and rock and roll, at least we're one for three on BuddhaJones... I would love to see much more of this kind of talk -- I'm so bored of academics and I think Buddhism is so much more to be found in affairs of everyday life, like smoking pot, joyously or sadly going to work, retaining friendships, making love, etc...  

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by: crisro @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 18:18:44 PM CDT

marijuana?

The worst thing about smoking marijuana is it makes you a criminal. Dependence on anything is unenlightened and most habitual smokers exhibit symptoms of dependence even though there is no addiction. But it's no more a hinderance to enlightenment than other bad habits, like television for instance. When you are high on pot you may think you understand some deep truth but more often than not it turns out to be a mixture of circular reasoning and feeling relaxed and mellow. I started smoking on a daily basis back in my teens and I have spent long stretches of years completely sober.  The one thing I do notice is when I haven't smoked for a long time I get very fixxed in my thoughts and more emotionally uptight and getting high at that point opens me up to alternative ways of thinking about things. I find that very helpful.
In the end I would say like most things it's neither good nor bad in and of itself but how you look at it makes it what it is.  

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by: clown hidden @ Wed Jul 08, 2009 at 11:02:49 AM CDT

[ Parent ]