The Nectar
                        Ý  Bhikkhu K. ¥àõananda

ßHave a drink - of the Nectar of Dhammaû

That is how we of the Buddhist world celebrate the thrice blessed Vesak Day.  

Dhamma is the non-intoxicant drink that dispels all worldly intoxications and quenches the Sa§sàric thirst of beings. 

The Buddha points out that beings keep running round and round the cycle of births and deaths because of intoxication. ßAll worldlings are insaneû says the Buddha. Artificial intoxicants only aggravate the situation. They make the already mad, `raving mad.'

 Vanity and insanity go hand in hand.  The Sa§sàric  intoxicants that lead to heedlessness are fourfold.

1.                  The pride of youth

2.                  The pride of health

3.                  The pride of wealth

4.                  The pride of life

 Intoxicated by these conceits, beings misbehave like drunkards  - blind to the realities of life.  They come to grief sooner or later crushed by the relentless wheel of  `kamma' Ý the moral law of cause and effect.

The Nectar of Dhamma, on the other hand, makes for heedfulness, sanity and sobriety. It refreshingly awakens  one to the stark realities of life, and infuses conscientiousness and sound judgement. That is the delicious  `super-drink' that quenches the thirst of craving and puts a stop to this mad careering in Sa§sàra.  That indeed is the ambrosia which brings Deathlessness.

             `The drinker of Dhamma is ever at ease

            With a mind unruffled and pleased

            In Dhamma the noble saints have preached

            The wise always find delight and peace.'

                       Þ Dhammapada Ý v. 79, `The Wise'