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Thought some might be interested in this: monks and meth

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
So? People get drunk and that's ok but a different drug? That's not wrong, that's hypocrisy.
the article has also that people are worried about merits or something like that. Don't know what merits are -- but anyway --
The article explained that abit, though it seemed more concerned about making moral judgements against the monks. But if they were recreationally using who cares. If they were abusing then it's a medical issue, not an issue that is appropriate for ridicule and such legal ramifications.
 

Lyndon

"Peace is the answer" quote: GOD, 2014
Premium Member
Monks take a vow to not do drugs or alcohol, they're obviously pulling off some kind of fraud
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
There's no legit use of meth.
When it's made by a real chemist in a real lab it's a prescription medication, often called Desoxyn.
https://www.rxlist.com/desoxyn-drug.htm
https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_methamphetamine/drugs-condition.htm
Methamphetamine is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect.....
And it's true that many people who use street meth or other stimulants have undiagnosed ADHD and are self medicating.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
Monks take a vow to not do drugs or alcohol, they're obviously pulling off some kind of fraud
There was something in the article about performing merits, or something like that. I wonder what are merits?
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
So? People get drunk and that's ok but a different drug? That's not wrong, that's hypocrisy.

The article explained that abit, though it seemed more concerned about making moral judgements against the monks. But if they were recreationally using who cares. If they were abusing then it's a medical issue, not an issue that is appropriate for ridicule and such legal ramifications.

Drug laws in Asia are pretty strict, but I don't think that's a surprise to Asians. So in a very real sense, breaking a precept around restraint from such indulgences has led to a negative consequence...
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
Monks take a vow to not do drugs or alcohol, they're obviously pulling off some kind of fraud
Well, there were apparently only 4 of them caught. Not like 100. The question now is: merit-making,” because it was reported that local residents were worried they couldn't engage in "merit-making." I'm not too familiar with Buddhism, so wonder what merit-making is.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
There was something in the article about performing merits, or something like that. I wonder what are merits?

The merit referred to wasn't for the monks, but instead for local Buddhists. They donate food to the monks as what we might call a 'good deed'...earning merits.

The arrested monks have been replaced so this can continue.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Well, there were apparently only 4 of them caught. Not like 100. The question now is: merit-making,” because it was reported that local residents were worried they couldn't engage in "merit-making." I'm not too familiar with Buddhism, so wonder what merit-making is.

It doesn't say how small the temple was, but does mention that losing those 4 means the temple has no leadership, and other monks have come to fill the space. Sounds like a small temple.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Drug laws in Asia are pretty strict, but I don't think that's a surprise to Asians. So in a very real sense, breaking a precept around restraint from such indulgences has led to a negative consequence...
I get that, but I strongly disagree with it, especially as such views do very typically punish addiction and abuse. But that's a medical crisis, a life threatening emergency and often it's accompanied with and began by chronic mental and physical pains.
If it's recreational, who really cares? It's not like those tests are that great anyways, and various OTC and prescription drugs are known for causing false positives. Advil, Tylenol, antihistamines and numerous vitamins are potential triggers. I was shocked and stunned the time I tested positive for meth, but then I was informed it was probably the Xanax that made it happen. Even isopropyl and ethanol alcohol those testing things cannot tell the difference between the two so a blood draw requires a different antiseptic to clean the injection site because if the medical alcohol is used the test will show up the same as drinking alcohol (because it tests for the presence of just alcohol). It's within acceptable limits for some, but the weight placed on a negative test is too great for something where can expect at least a two-digit percentage of them being wrong (I think it's 20-30%, but it's been a long time since I've looked that specific number up).
It's not like we haven't always been using drugs in some form (frequently medically or religiously). Teaching responsible use and the warning signs of addiction and abuse and pointing people in the right direction when that happens is tons easier and more achievable and less destructive than trying to stamp out drugs with draconian measures.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
I get that, but I strongly disagree with it, especially as such views do very typically punish addiction and abuse. But that's a medical crisis, a life threatening emergency and often it's accompanied with and began by chronic mental and physical pains.
If it's recreational, who really cares? It's not like those tests are that great anyways, and various OTC and prescription drugs are known for causing false positives. Advil, Tylenol, antihistamines and numerous vitamins are potential triggers. I was shocked and stunned the time I tested positive for meth, but then I was informed it was probably the Xanax that made it happen. Even isopropyl and ethanol alcohol those testing things cannot tell the difference between the two so a blood draw requires a different antiseptic to clean the injection site because if the medical alcohol is used the test will show up the same as drinking alcohol (because it tests for the presence of just alcohol). It's within acceptable limits for some, but the weight placed on a negative test is too great for something where can expect at least a two-digit percentage of them being wrong (I think it's 20-30%, but it's been a long time since I've looked that specific number up).
It's not like we haven't always been using drugs in some form (frequently medically or religiously). Teaching responsible use and the warning signs of addiction and abuse and pointing people in the right direction when that happens is tons easier and more achievable and less destructive than trying to stamp out drugs with draconian measures.

You're arguing from a Western view of corrections, and I largely agree.
But my point was from the perspective of the monks themselves. At least, that was my attempt, although I'll admit there is an element of guesswork involved by neccessity.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
It doesn't say how small the temple was, but does mention that losing those 4 means the temple has no leadership, and other monks have come to fill the space. Sounds like a small temple.
Likely could be. Meth is a problem all over the world.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
The merit referred to wasn't for the monks, but instead for local Buddhists. They donate food to the monks as what we might call a 'good deed'...earning merits.

The arrested monks have been replaced so this can continue.
Oh, ok., thanks for offering that explanation.
 
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