On the Borderlands of Religion and Science: Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Contemplative Traditions and Psychedelic Medicine
Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.15239/hijbs.08.01.08 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article argues that psychedelics can be understood as medicine (bhesajja/bhaiajya) rather than intoxicants (majja/madya) within Buddhist ethics, placing them in a therapeutic rather than enhancement sphere. Indic sources recognize herbs (osadhī/auṣadhi) as a known source of extraordinary experiences and capacities (ṛddhi), providing conceptual grounds for linking psychedelic and meditative experiences in contemporary Buddhist communities.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Keywords | Contemplation Karma Spirituality Philosophy |
| Key finding | Argues that classical Indian Buddhist sources classify psychedelics as medicine rather than intoxicants, placing them in a therapeutic sphere defensible through Buddhist ethics, and that herbs are recognized as sources of extraordinary experiences, linking psychedelic and meditative experiences. |
Abstract
Gyatso, 'The Nature of the Mind'.chedelics are argued to be medicine (bhesajja/bhaiajya) as opposed to being akin to alcohol or an 'intoxicant' (majja/madya), they fall into a 'therapeutic' as opposed to an 'enhancement' sphere and are defensible as a medical intervention via Buddhist ethics; and (3) Indic sources convey an understanding that herbs (osadh/oadhi) are a known, if not legitimate, source of extraordinary experiences and capacities (ddhi) and thus provide conceptual grounds supporting the contemporary linkage among Buddhist communities between psychedelic and meditative experiences.