I don’t think drinking alcohol should be a moral problem for Hindus. I don’t drink simply because I was raised in a household that didn’t drink.
This is a sensitive subject, and I’m sure many people disagree with me. That is why I hope to spark further discussion on this subject, which I feel is a vague spot in our faith. What are your opinions?
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As you may know, there is nothing in the Gita or any of the Hindu scriptures about alcohol consumption.
There is a phrase that I’m sure all of you have heard, which was considered to be a way of life for the ancient Greeks – nothing in excess, everything in proportion. Krishna says something very similar to this in the Gita. He mentions that one who leads his life with moderation in recreation, diet and other activities is the one that will be able to practice meditation.
Hence, the mere consumption of alcohol should not be thought of as immoral or offending to Hindus. However, if one is to partake in the act of drinking, it is advised that he or she drink with moderation.
Jainism actually does take a strong position against alcohol: http://www.jainstudy.org/jsc1.04-JainismAnIntro.htm. I think the key reason is that drinking causes someone to lose focus, which increases the risk that that person might do something he may later regret. Therefore, while I do not necessarily see alcohol in itself as immoral, I do think alcohol consumption – even in moderation – can lead to immoral acts. It then becomes meaningless to say that alcohol not immoral in itself since you can separate alcohol and the person drinking the alcohol only in theory.
Of course, alcohol in itself could be considered immoral by both Jains and Hindus since many types of alcohol are not vegetarian: http://jainworld.com/jainfood/alcohol.asp. Several types of beer, for example, contain albumen (derived from eggs or dried blood) and isinglass (derived from the swimbladders of fish).
@Anish
While there is nothing in scriptures that specifically condemns alcohol consumption, I think the most important consideration one should have is how their personal lifestyle choices affect their professional role, and their duty within that role. I had a long discussion with my youth group teacher from back home, Balu, over break about this. I am a social drinker, and I brought up the subject with Balu, who mentioned that both of us have taken on a responsibility to represent Hinduism and spirituality, and impart its lessons onto others. As such, it might reflect poorly on us if the people who we interact with in the Dharma or youth group sphere see us drinking in public, especially to excess.
I’ve had a tough time figuring out this drinking issue for myself. Although my conception of Hinduism focuses much more on selfless, detached action and much less on purity (in terms of leading an entirely saatvic lifestyle), I still think drinking alcohol for the sake of drinking reflects attachment. This attachment might not be to “alcohol” per se, but rather the social status or “coolness” factor associated with drinking. As such, I have limited my social drinking significantly and avoided excess.
Rohan, here’s a brief essay that you might find interesting: http://www.dharmicnaujawaan.org.gy/?q=node/51.
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