How do different traditions define "intoxicant"?

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Let me first explain the original Pāli version of the fifth precept, according to what I learnt from prof. Richard Gombrich, who knows Pāli well and is a Theravāda scholar, but is not a Buddhist.

Surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

The last three words are the same for all precepts and mean "I undertake the rule of abstaining from". The key word here is surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā. It is a compound that can be split as follows: surā-meraya-majja-pamāda-ṭṭhānā. The literal translation is surā-meraya-majja-carelessness-occasion. Surā, meraya and majja are names of three intoxicating drinks, but we cannot be sure what they exactly were. So if we look at it literally, the rule deals with three specific drinks, and whether and how it shoud be extended to other intoxicants is a matter of interpretation.

The use of pamāda (carelessness) is even more interesting. Since it is a part of a compound, the grammar rules of Pāli tell us very little about how it should be interpreted. So the literal reading of the fifth precept could be either

I undertake the rule of abstaining from surā, meraya and majja, because they cause occasions for carelessness.

or

I undertake the rule of abstaining from surā, meraya and majja, in so far as they cause occasions for carelessness.

Coming back to your question, there is no agreement among Theravāda Buddhists on which of the two readings should be used. There are quite a few who interpret it according to the latter reading and don't think that consumption of small amounts of alcohol is against the precept. But in any case, there is an agreement that surāmerayamajja should interpreted as alcoholic beverages in general. There is, however, a controversy on whether the precept is applicable to smoking.

To sum up, various Buddhist traditions have surely different views on that matter, but in any case, the word pamāda seems to be the key. It is what defines intoxicants, and - for traditions that allow some use of intoxicans - defines the limits of their use.

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This is any substance which lead to carelessness:

  • Loss of Sila - taking something like alcohol or drugs with similar effect taken for recreational value. Being drunk reduces ones resolve to adhere to the precepts.
  • Loss of Samadhi - again taking alcohol or even pain killers or sleeping pills other spescription medications taken recreational value. Alcohol, sleeping pills, certcertain medications make you less concentrated, especially those labeled not to operate machines or drive.
  • Loss of Satti - taking hallucinogens or other drugs which alter perception of reality or decreases perception of reality if taken for recreational value

Loss of Samadhi and Satti contributes to loss of Sila and morality one is more deligent with them and more careless when they reduce.

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