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16 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

The Fifth Precept

and the power of

Renunciation

By Gil Fronsdal

Gil Fronsdal is the Renunciation is one of the most make poor choices, often with long-term
co-teacher for the beneficial, empowering, and freeing consequences. The cost of human lives
Insight Meditation practices of Buddhism. As its purpose lost or relationships destroyed due to
Center in Redwood City, is to heighten the best qualities of our intoxication are incalculable.
California; he has been hearts and minds, renunciation is not
teaching since 1990. He meant to diminish our lives but rather The issue of intoxication is not only a
has practiced Zen and to enhance them. Abstaining from modern one. More than 2,500 years ago,
Vipassana in the U.S. intoxicating drinks and drugs—the the Buddha said that intoxication can
and Asia since 1975. He fifth ethical precept—is an important lead to “the loss of wealth, increased
was a Theravada monk Buddhist practice that can reveal the quarreling, susceptibility to illness,
in Burma in 1985, and power of renunciation. disrepute, and weakening of wisdom.”
in 1989 began training What is modern is the incredibly wide
with Jack Kornfield On the surface, the fifth precept differs range of addicting substances and
unwholesome pleasures that are readily
from the first four in being more
to be a Vipassana personal than interpersonal. Killing, available.
teacher. Gil teaches at stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying all
Spirit Rock Meditation directly involve other people. In contrast, With its emphasis on mindfulness and
Center where he is part consuming intoxicating drinks and wise intention, Buddhism helps us
of its Teachers Council. drugs is a personal choice that does not see how intoxication clouds the mind
Gil was ordained as inherently affect others. and diminishes our ability to make
a Soto Zen priest at The immense personal and interpersonal wise choices. A traditional Buddhist
the San Francisco Zen damage that comes from alcohol and reason for abstaining from alcohol and
Center in 1982, and in drugs is often invisible in the personal, drugs is that intoxication increases the
1995 received Dharma seemingly innocuous decisions to chances a person will violate the first
Transmission from Mel consume them. This harm can be masked four precepts. For example, we are more
Weitsman, the abbot of when intoxication, even mild inebriation, likely to speak what is not true or to flirt
the Berkeley Zen Center. temporarily alleviates pain and brings inappropriately, if we are even a little
He currently serves longed-for relief. Its negative effects can bit intoxicated. And, as wisdom is often
on the SF Zen Center also be invisible when intoxication’s lacking when intoxicated, these can
temporary pleasure, relaxation, and
easily lead to greater and more damaging
Elders’ Council. In 2011 lack of fear can seem preferable to less problems. Children can grow up in fear
he founded IMC’s Insight pleasant feelings. And yet, we’re all when drunk parents are prone to anger,
Retreat Center. aware of the tremendous personal and violence, and neglect. Our prisons are
social costs of intoxication. Under the filled with people who committed crimes
influence of these substances—and in while intoxicated.
their aftermath—people frequently