[Buddha-l] Buddhism, drug use and LSD

[Vaj]

On Mar 28, 2005, at 12:52 PM, Stefan Detrez wrote:

> Can drugs enhance the enlightenment experience without being
> stigmatized as artificial?

Chapter four of the Patanjali sutras (i.e. the yoga-sutra) states in 
it's first verse that enlightenment can be engendered through 
"botanicals" (Skt.: ausadhi). And of course it's said that Patanjali's 
system came into Buddhism through Nagarjuna's _Pancha-krama_. Now 
whether pada four (the last chapter) made it, I cannot say.

If you can get a copy of _Masters of Mahamudra_ with the illustrators 
preface by Robert Beer, check that out. Beer claims to have attained 
enlightenment, accidentally, through LSD. He thought he was on the edge 
of insanity for years, till he met Goenka, who helped him reclaim his 
body.

Sincerely,

Steve Feite