Is it ok for Hindu's to smoke Pot

[Wannabe Yogi]

Ok what do you think.

Hinduism has long been associated with pot. Since approximately 1500 BC, in fact, Hindu worshipers have been consuming pot—whether smoking it through a chillum [clay pipe] or drinking bhang, a mixture consisting of the pot mixed with milk, spice, and sugar—in the hope of achieving a higher spiritual level.
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/03/26/indias-potsmoking-hindu-temple-dwellers/

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Asking for permission to do something to one's own body and experience, sounds wholly un-Hinduism if you ask me.

 

[Baydwin]

I can't imagine smoking pot is a very enlightening experience, if anything it'll just blur the line between fantasy and reality a bit.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Ok what do you think.

Hinduism has long been associated with pot. Since approximately 1500 BC, in fact, Hindu worshipers have been consuming pot—whether smoking it through a chillum [clay pipe] or drinking bhang, a mixture consisting of the pot mixed with milk, spice, and sugar—in the hope of achieving a higher spiritual level.

India’s Pot-Smoking Hindu Temple Dwellers
Dude should Hinduism be the faith of Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

I don't order understand how it is helpful.I think such practices can addictive.I haven't seen any authentic guru smoking..Unfortunately it is associated with Shaivism.
I am against such tamasic practices just to get alter ur brain and get some fantasy.I don't care if Hinduism allows me or others smoke (it is obviously their wish).

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I can't imagine smoking pot is a very enlightening experience, if anything it'll just blur the line between fantasy and reality a bit.

That is silly...

 

[Metempsychosis]

I can't imagine smoking pot is a very enlightening experience, if anything it'll just blur the line between fantasy and reality a bit.

Actually there are methods(no longer in vogue) to induce enlightened states through the use of herbs ,but i still doubt whether this has anything to do with pot smoking.

The guy in pic (of the OP) is making mockery of asceticism and renunciation.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I can't imagine smoking pot is a very enlightening experience, if anything it'll just blur the line between fantasy and reality a bit.

Well from the Hindu point of view the human reality is a fantasy. In Hinduism we call this Maya. I think you can argue that habitual use of this drug would make it worse.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Let me tell a story. A friend of mine famous yoga author who is a professor at a university went to pick up a Hindu Holy Man at the airport. The Holy man gets off the airplane with one change of clothes a (doti and a shirt) and a huge lunch bag filled with pot. That reeks to high heaven. They stop at a rest area on the way home. This Sadhu lights up in front of every one. My friend tells he can't do this in our counrty. He said don't worry I am protected. He then does a speaking tour across the country hopping on trains and plaines. Gets back to town. My friend drove him back to the plane with the same bag of pot just a little more empty and goes back to India and started living alone in the jungle.

My friend seemed to be bugged about the whole thing. And I also met one more witness to this brown paper lunch bag.

The whole story just makes me wonder how in the world he got away with this.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Actually there are methods(no longer in vogue) to induce enlightened states through the use of herbs ,but i still doubt whether this has anything to do with pot smoking.

The guy in pic (of the OP) is making mockery of asceticism and renunciation.

Sorry he is not a Hindu. I was just trying to be funny. Not a spiritual person at all. I was just making fun of pot smokers. Its from a movie that is a classic part of teenage culture in America. I changed my post as not to offend.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

It also need to be said that the vast majority Hindu's will find this subject offensive and they do not agree with this behavior in any way. I still think its a good subject for discussion.

 

[SugaCubez352]

I always thought Bhang (cannabis) was a sacred plant of Shiva's?

But if you think about it, smoke the pot for its chemicals (as with any drug) is just half of what is going on.

For every major drug's molecular structure, there is an opiate, endorphin, or dopamine that is very similar in structure.

So the first question would be, if THC is "wrong" to experience, then is the neuro-chemical similar to THC your brain already makes "wrong" also?

The second part of doing drugs like pot and cocaine or opium is that the drug itself causes the brain to release its opiates, dopamine, and endorphin which in turn affects the synapses causing the feeling of being "high."

So the second question for a Hindu would be: Would certain kinds of meditative practices such as ones that produces "ananda (bliss)" where the same opiates, dopamine, and endorphins are released be also "wrong" and outlawed?

 

[Satsangi]

Can u point to a proof or even a limited study that the meditative practices release the neurotransmitters and that the "ananda" feeling of meitation is due to the neurotransmitters?

Yes, the chemicals/drugs have produced altered levels of consciousness and some hallucinogenic experiences or "out of the body" experiences. But, that does not mean meditation works the same way.

U are correct that Bhang is being considered as sacred to Lord Shiva, but where is the Scriptural support for it?? I would love to have a Scriptural support that recommends use of Bhaang to please Lord Shiva. The use of Bhaang, in my opinion, is one of those practices which have creeped into Hinduism culturally and has no Scriptural recommendations.

Finally, the drugs do take one to some hallucinogenic experience- that has been mentioned in the Scriptures. But, the use of drugs to attain such states is actually forbidden in the Scriptures.

Even if the drug were to reproduce the bliss of Samadhi, it still does not mean anything. The bliss of Samadhi attained by expertise in meditation is not dependent on external means like the drugs; it is actually a freeedom from any such external bondages.

As for the Holy Man mentioned in WannabeYogi's post; I have one more thing to add. I would not venture to comment on any action of a real Avadhoota Sage; however awkward, illogical and possibly un-holy it may sound.

Regards,

 

[SugaCubez352]

I'm not Hindu so I have never read any scriptures. I'm just shooting ideas out. But I found it interesting that Bhaang is not mentioned in your scriptures, but can still be religiously associated which Shiva.

I figured since jogging releases endorphins, and things like sex releases dopamine and such, and breathing exercises such as when you breath fast and deep without pausing floods your brain with oxygen and neuro-chemicals, that surely sitting still... going into a trance state, and breathing in certain ways will manifest the same neuro-chemicals.

But you are right. Even if such neuro-chemicals can mimic the bliss of samadhi (which I haven't experienced yet) it is not the same things... but the neuru-chemicals still exist and they still cause the feeling of highness. Should these neuro-chemicals be banned and outlawed?

 

[Satsangi]

SugaCubez352,

Does it make a difference if they outlaw it or not?? People still use all these stuff. Infact, their chain of supply is even better than Walmart's inspite of all the "laws and police". They seem to be totally unable to stop any drugs; although they are very efficient at giving speeding tickets..... lol.

As for me, I have a law for myself- a big NO to any addictive substance even tea or coffee or nicotine or alcohol.

Regards,

 

[kai]

MOD post

Just a reminder folks!​

Rule 6. Illegal Activities
Discussions about your engagement in or encouragement for others to participate in any illegal activity is prohibited. This includes the use of illegal Drugs, infringement of intellectual property rights; including, music, software, or literature, photographs etc. It also covers Terrorism and all violent crime. And criminal activities. These Topics may be discussed and debated in a way that does not promote an illegal activity

 

[nameless]

Mystical people have their own ways to reach higher conscious state. After reaching a particular level of consciousness, some yogis does smoking. But the purpose here is different, it is not for sensual pleasure..... he would try to maintain his awareness in this situation and remains unchanged, so that he would develop high renounciation abilities and makes his meditation easier. There are a lot these kind of 'mental excercises' which appears to be strange in the first sight.

Bodhidharma when first came to china he carried shoes on his head, he behaved in such manner to remind everyone that, his teachings will be against all their expectations.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

Ok what do you think.

Hinduism has long been associated with pot. Since approximately 1500 BC, in fact, Hindu worshipers have been consuming pot—whether smoking it through a chillum [clay pipe] or drinking bhang, a mixture consisting of the pot mixed with milk, spice, and sugar—in the hope of achieving a higher spiritual level.
India’s Pot-Smoking Hindu Temple Dwellers

I see nothing wrong with it, and I will personally vouch for its efficacy.

 

[Satsangi]

If pot can make u a sage, there would be many more "enlightened" beings and "realized" beings on this planet!! Lets be real and look around -how many pot users have achieved any spiritual level??

The inner Samskaras that we have- anger, lust, greed, desires, jealousy etc, etc and etc... how many of them get destroyed by pot? There is no real liberation without destroying the very seed of the above Samskaras from the Jeeva. Take examples of Adi Shankara, Gautama and Mahavira and numerous other Souls who destroyed these Samskaras; give me one good example where pot was the primary instrument of their achievement??

Pot- efficacious or not- is no where recommended as a primary instrument to the spiritual path by any of the realized Souls. In fact, they all unanimously recommend to keep away from ANY addictive substances.

Regards,

 

[ChrisP]

Hinduism has long been associated with pot. Since approximately 1500 BC, in fact, Hindu worshipers have been consuming pot—whether smoking it through a chillum [clay pipe] or drinking bhang, a mixture consisting of the pot mixed with milk, spice, and sugar—in the hope of achieving a higher spiritual level.

Well from the Hindu point of view the human reality is a fantasy. In Hinduism we call this Maya. I think you can argue that habitual use of this drug would make it worse.

I can't imagine smoking pot is a very enlightening experience, if anything it'll just blur the line between fantasy and reality a bit.

That is silly...

Once upon a time smoking pot may have loosened the minds inhibitions. The weed available these days has been engineered/bred to the point where it is so potent that it completely ****s with your head. I doubt modern pot available from your local friendly dealer is really much use in meditation due to it's strength...

 

[zenzero]

Friend WannabeYogi,

Is it ok for Hindu's to smoke Pot

Sorry the word *hindu* is misleading.
Every human is born with a free will and how one uses it, is his own lookout. It so happens meditators in this part of the world found these weeds to help in stilling the mind and so it was and is still used but *DHARMA* cannot be connect with them.

Personal use of these weeds did help in stilling the mind and no more use them as they are not a must.

Love & rgds