Quick summary: how to throw a fun alcohol-free party
A party doesn't need alcohol to be fun. Planning activities, offering non-alcoholic mocktails, and respecting guests who choose not to drink are the key ingredients. This article rounds up ideas from real experience.
Many people may be familiar with the phrase, “Alcohol is a guide to socializing” because of traditional merit-making ceremonies. Most festivals or celebrations involve alcohol as the main attraction for people to meet each other. But that is just an idea or a created illusion. It is possible to organize a party without alcohol. If everyone is committed to organizing it
“...What fun would a party be without alcohol...?” A popular phrase that many people often say when attending a housewarming party, a rocket event, ordination ceremony, or a birthday party. Including wedding ceremonies or weddings. Because society in the present era views “Must” use alcoholic beverages when drinking to celebrate a party. In fact, this set of ideas was created as social culture.
“...alcohol is the most dangerous drug. Because the effects of drinking affect society and the economy. Peace and order..."
In addition to the impact on the health of drinkers, It also affects society as a whole. Because in each accident from drinking alcohol Affecting other people who are not related Therefore, if you can reduce drinking It will help reduce these problems.
Drinking to socialize It might be drinking to destroy society. Because the effects of drinking are more than the benefits, what should we do like this? If you hold an event that is alcohol-free?
Alcohol-free merit-making event
Ordination to replace parents. These are all things that the Buddhist family congratulates. Many times, a celebration is held before the ordination day with a Chinese table setting. Invite neighbors and relatives to join in congratulating you by using "alcoholic drinks" as a way to attract guests. So the question arises: “If holding a merit-making event, there will be no alcoholic beverages. Will there be people attending the event or not?”
From the experience of those who have passed the ordination ceremony without alcohol. Mr. Chaowalit Niamsorn told me that He only intended to ordain his parents. Therefore, I would like to organize an ordination ceremony without alcohol. But as the day of the event approached, relatives came and asked, “...Why isn't there any liquor? If I don't have it, I won't join the event..." He views that what he is doing is the right thing. Even if they are criticized, they don't care. And the alcohol-free ordination ceremony proceeded smoothly. It is considered a merit-making event that is not contaminated by vices. It is considered to be ordination which receives full merit.
Suramerayamjapamathatthanaveramani
“...I consider the 5th precept to be the best precept. Because if we can keep this precept, we will be able to keep the other precepts as well. Because if we drink alcohol, it will allow us to do sinful things. It might hurt a friend. Stealing petty things, telling lies, or having the wrong child with someone else's wife. Therefore, keeping the 5 precepts will help prevent you from keeping the other precepts as well..." Mr. Chaowalit Said
Phra Panyananthamuni Abbot of Wat Cholprathan Rangsarit. Tells the story of the time Prince Siddhartha was ordained. with no investment There was no celebration. Compared to the current ordination, there is an investment of over 2-3 hundred thousand to organize an event to call for beer and liquor. But no one has asked for the word "ordination" that actually means "abstinence." Ordination means abstaining from making yourself depressed. Those attending the ordination ceremony should abstain from vices. Because it is considered something that falls into “Trick”
includes going to participate in the Naga hair-penetrating ceremony that shows the abandonment of Or cutting off things that are dear to you, cutting off burdens, cutting off anger, cutting off greed, cutting off delusion, cutting off jealousy and vengeance. Cut out alcohol and stimulants Those who come to the ceremony must cut it like the Naga. If those who still cannot leave, they should not join in cutting or shaving the head of the Naga.
“...Those who come to be ordained are already human beings. If you shave your head, you are already a naga, which is noble. The kith and kin who come to ordain are those who come to give ordination as an act of worship to the Lord Buddha. It's not an invasion. Then come and organize a huge procession. I want those things to stop. If ordination stops all evil things You have received merit. Especially if you are a person who trains yourself to live a life worthy of being ordained. Abstaining that should be avoided, should be able to abstain You are already an excellent person in ordination. May your ordination be pure ordination. All hidden things are not the Buddha's way. The Buddha never taught anything. To see that ordination is a gathering..."
from the ordination ceremony Towards a liquor-free wedding
After organizing a liquor-free ordination ceremony, let's move on to organizing a liquor-free wedding, which Chaowalit said is something more difficult than an ordination ceremony. Because when ordaining, he still claimed to enter the Dhamma path. Can keep the precepts But when it came to the wedding, which was a festive party, there were a few obstacles.
After announcing that they were going to get married, and held a party that was alcohol-free, causing questions among relatives: “...Why don't you drink alcohol? Did you know that alcohol plays a role in socializing?...”
What I responded to was a firm assertion that I did not want the wedding to include alcohol. But they promised to provide food and other beverages to their fullest potential. Definitely not to let the guests attending the event be disappointed.
“...a wedding is an auspicious event. Unlucky things should not be involved. And you shouldn't start your married life with something unlucky..."
"...I intend to be a role model for teenagers that You don't need alcohol to be social. Because I believe there are still many teenagers who want to do it. But I still don't dare or think I shouldn't. Therefore, I want you to have the courage to be clear and firmly confirm like me..."
Conclusion
Preserving Thai traditions is important. Even though there are new cultures It happened, but the culture of drinking alcoholic beverages at merit making or various traditional ceremonies It should be prohibited in order to prevent imitation behavior of children and youth. who may become new drinkers in the future Separation of various vices Leaving Buddhism is therefore something that all Thai people must cooperate with.
Illustrations from the internet
Some information from an academic seminar. "original cause The Burden of Disease from Health Risk Factors that Thai People Have to Bear” and the seminar “Benefits are Not Stained with Sins” Remove alcohol from merit-making work.”