Difference between revisions of "Smoking"
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| − | [[Smoking]] is the [[habit]] of inhaling the smoke of smouldering tobacco leaves either by means of cigarettes or pipes. Tobacco was unknown in {{Wiki|ancient India}} but [[people]] did inhale smoke for medical and recreational purposes. According to the Suśruta Cikitsā, an ancient treatise on [[medicine]], inhaling smoke is good as a purgative, a cure for tiredness, {{Wiki|depression}}, throat and {{Wiki|nose}} problems and is also beneficial for pregnant women. Certain herbs were burned and the smoke sniffed in through a small [[ | + | [[Smoking]] is the [[habit]] of inhaling the smoke of smouldering {{Wiki|tobacco}} leaves either by means of cigarettes or pipes. Tobacco was unknown in {{Wiki|ancient India}} but [[people]] did inhale smoke for medical and recreational purposes. According to the [[Suśruta Cikitsā]], an ancient treatise on [[medicine]], inhaling smoke is good as a purgative, a cure for tiredness, {{Wiki|depression}}, throat and {{Wiki|nose}} problems and is also beneficial for {{Wiki|pregnant}} {{Wiki|women}}. Certain herbs were burned and the smoke sniffed in through a small metal tube ([[dhūmanetti]]). The [[Buddha]] subscribed to this kind of smoke therapy and allowed [[monks and nuns]] to have [[smoking]] tubes (Vin.I,204), although some [[people]] apparently considered them to be a luxury (Ja.IV,363). |
| − | Cigarettes (dhūmavaṭṭi) smoked for [[enjoyment]] were made by grinding cardamom, {{Wiki|saffron}}, {{Wiki|sandalwood}} and aloe | + | {{Wiki|Cigarettes}} ([[dhūmavaṭṭi]]) smoked for [[enjoyment]] were made by {{Wiki|grinding}} {{Wiki|cardamom}}, {{Wiki|saffron}}, {{Wiki|sandalwood}} and aloe wood into a fine paste and moulding it over a reed so that it was about 15 centimetres long and with the thickness of a thumb. When the paste was dry, the reed was removed and the resulting {{Wiki|cigarette}} was smeared with clarified butter or {{Wiki|sandalwood}} oil before [[being]] ignited. These cigarettes were probably far less harmful than the modern ones. Another ancient medical work, the [[Caraka Saṃhitā]], recommends sitting in an upright but comfortable [[posture]] while [[smoking]], taking three puffs at a [[time]] and inhaling through both the mouth and nostrils but exhaling only through {{Wiki|nostrils}}. |
| − | While [[smoking]] has a very negative effect on the [[body]], it has little or no effect on [[consciousness]] and thus, from the [[Buddhist]] perspective, | + | |
| − | has no [[moral]] significance. A [[person]] can be kind, generous and honest and yet smoke. [[Thus]], although [[smoking]] is inadvisable from the point of [[view]] of [[physical]] health it is not contrary to the fifth [[Precept]]. | + | While [[smoking]] has a very negative effect on the [[body]], it has little or no effect on [[consciousness]] and thus, from the [[Buddhist]] perspective, has no [[moral]] significance. A [[person]] can be kind, generous and honest and yet smoke. [[Thus]], although [[smoking]] is inadvisable from the point of [[view]] of [[physical]] health it is not contrary to the fifth [[Precept]]. |
| − | [[Smoking]] is very common in all [[Buddhists]] lands although in 2005 [[Bhutan]] was the first country in the [[world]] to ban it. In [[Burma]], [[Thailand]] and [[Cambodia]] [[monks]] commonly smoke, but in [[Sri Lanka]] it is considered unacceptable for them to do so, although it is often done in private. However, [[Sri Lankan]] [[monks]] are allowed to chew tobacco. | + | |
| + | [[Smoking]] is very common in all [[Buddhists]] lands although in 2005 [[Bhutan]] was the first country in the [[world]] to ban it. In [[Burma]], [[Thailand]] and [[Cambodia]] [[monks]] commonly smoke, but in [[Sri Lanka]] it is considered unacceptable for them to do so, although it is often done in private. However, [[Sri Lankan]] [[monks]] are allowed to chew {{Wiki|tobacco}}. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=387 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=387 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:54, 12 September 2013
Smoking is the habit of inhaling the smoke of smouldering tobacco leaves either by means of cigarettes or pipes. Tobacco was unknown in ancient India but people did inhale smoke for medical and recreational purposes. According to the Suśruta Cikitsā, an ancient treatise on medicine, inhaling smoke is good as a purgative, a cure for tiredness, depression, throat and nose problems and is also beneficial for pregnant women. Certain herbs were burned and the smoke sniffed in through a small metal tube (dhūmanetti). The Buddha subscribed to this kind of smoke therapy and allowed monks and nuns to have smoking tubes (Vin.I,204), although some people apparently considered them to be a luxury (Ja.IV,363).
Cigarettes (dhūmavaṭṭi) smoked for enjoyment were made by grinding cardamom, saffron, sandalwood and aloe wood into a fine paste and moulding it over a reed so that it was about 15 centimetres long and with the thickness of a thumb. When the paste was dry, the reed was removed and the resulting cigarette was smeared with clarified butter or sandalwood oil before being ignited. These cigarettes were probably far less harmful than the modern ones. Another ancient medical work, the Caraka Saṃhitā, recommends sitting in an upright but comfortable posture while smoking, taking three puffs at a time and inhaling through both the mouth and nostrils but exhaling only through nostrils.
While smoking has a very negative effect on the body, it has little or no effect on consciousness and thus, from the Buddhist perspective, has no moral significance. A person can be kind, generous and honest and yet smoke. Thus, although smoking is inadvisable from the point of view of physical health it is not contrary to the fifth Precept.
Smoking is very common in all Buddhists lands although in 2005 Bhutan was the first country in the world to ban it. In Burma, Thailand and Cambodia monks commonly smoke, but in Sri Lanka it is considered unacceptable for them to do so, although it is often done in private. However, Sri Lankan monks are allowed to chew tobacco.
