Humor Lesson 14

Of Alcohol Addiction

Reflection

* Addiction to alcohol is more and more widespread today - even among the youths and students.

* Beware! Be heedful! The harm that alcohol can do to the body and mind is indeed immense.

* Don't start ingesting chemicals that have harmful addictive properties - nicotine fom cigarettes, ethanol in liquor and many alcoloids present in drugs. Once addiction sets in, problems and suffering await the afflicted. There is wisdom in the Proverb "Prevention is better than cure."

* A breach of the 5th Precept ( which is to refrain from intoxicants ) can have its kammic consequences. The 5th Precept is broken when the following conditions are fulfilled :

1. One knows of the presence of the harmful intoxicants.

2. One has the intention to take in the intoxicants.

3. One actually takes in or ingests the substance containing the intoxicants.

4. One's mind becomes tipsy/heedless/intoxicated/drunk/mindless as a result of the intoxicants.

With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin