Beer And Nuns: A Complex Relationship Explored

Whether nuns are allowed to drink alcohol is dependent on the vows they take at ordination. In Buddhism, monks and nuns take vows to abstain from intoxicating substances, including alcohol. In Catholicism, nuns are not encouraged to drink alcohol, but it is not considered sinful when consumed in moderation. Some congregations may allow nuns to drink alcohol during feast days or when entertaining guests, as long as it is done socially. Ultimately, the decision to drink alcohol or not may depend on the individual nun and the specific congregation she belongs to.

Vows and Ordinations

Whether nuns can drink beer depends on the vows they take at their ordination. For example, Buddhists take vows not to take any mind-altering or intoxicating substances, so they do not drink alcohol. In Catholicism, nuns are not encouraged to drink alcohol or smoke, but it is not considered sinful when taken in moderation.

Some congregations may allow nuns to drink alcohol, depending on the specific rules of the congregation and the individual nun's vows. For example, during feast days or when entertaining guests, nuns may be allowed to drink wine or other spirits as long as it is done socially and in moderation.

One nun, Sister Ruth, who lives at the Abbey of St. Gertrud in Kloster-Alexanderdorf, stated that she believes "pardonable sins, like eating too many sweets or drinking beer, are fine. God isn't that strict." This indicates that at least in her congregation and according to her vows, drinking beer is acceptable.

Ultimately, the ability of nuns to drink beer depends on the specific vows and ordinations they have taken.

Buddha's teachings on enlightenment

The Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, was a man who lived in what is now northern India and Nepal about 2,500 to 2,600 years ago. He is considered to have been the first "enlightened" person, and his teachings on the subject form the basis of the religion of Buddhism.

The term "enlightenment" is the Western translation of various Buddhist terms, most notably bodhi in Indian Buddhism, and satori in Zen Buddhism. The word "bodhi" comes from the Sanskrit "budh-", meaning "to awaken". In Buddhism, enlightenment is when a Buddhist finds the truth about life and stops being reborn because they have reached Nirvana.

The story of the Buddha's enlightenment is not told in exactly the same way across all schools of Buddhism, but the central tenets are the same. The Buddha is said to have been born into a wealthy family as a prince, and was raised in luxury, sheltered from all knowledge of pain and suffering. At the age of 29, he left the palace and saw, for the first time, a sick person, an old man, a corpse, and a holy man. Shaken by the reality of human suffering, he decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and seek peace of mind.

The Buddha sought out teachers and punished his body with extreme ascetic practices such as fasting, but after six years, he felt only frustration. He eventually realised that the path to enlightenment was through mental discipline and meditation, not physical deprivation. He sat beneath a sacred fig tree, or Bodhi tree, and meditated until he attained enlightenment.

The Buddha's teachings state that enlightenment can be achieved by following the Middle Way—a life that is neither one of extreme luxury, nor one of extreme deprivation. Buddhists develop Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration), and Prajna (insight or wisdom) through meditation. This is thought to take a very long time.

Once enlightened, the Buddha taught others about his spiritual discovery for 45 years until he died at the age of 80. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path that he formulated are considered essential to understanding Buddhism.

Catholic Church's view on drinking

Drinking alcohol is not considered a sin in the Catholic Church, and alcohol is deemed "inherently good". Alcohol is believed to be created by God for celebratory purposes, as seen in the Bible. However, the Catholic Church emphasises that drinking is only acceptable in moderation. Excessive drinking, or drunkenness, is considered a sin.

The Bible contains several references to alcohol, and Jesus himself was "no stranger to alcohol". At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, declaring wine to be his blood. His first public miracle was also transforming water into wine.

The Catholic Church's position on alcohol is reflected in the following quote:

> “Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. Never drink when you are wretched without it, or you will be like the grey-faced gin-drinker in the slum; but drink when you would be happy without it, and you will be like the laughing peasant of Italy. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.“

>

> – G. K. Chesterton

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also provides guidance on alcohol consumption, stating:

> “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.“

>

> – Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2290

The Catholic Church's view on alcohol is further supported by various saints, such as St. John Chrysostom and St. Thomas Aquinas, who have praised alcohol in moderation.

While the Catholic Church does not prohibit alcohol consumption, it is important to note that certain orders or individuals within the Church may have specific restrictions or guidelines regarding alcohol. For example, nuns in teaching orders may be required to abstain from alcohol. Ultimately, the decision to consume alcohol and the extent of consumption is a personal choice for Catholics, guided by the Church's teachings on temperance and moderation.

History of monks and alcohol

The consumption and creation of alcohol are inherently linked to the Catholic faith. Jesus's first miracle was turning water into wine, and wine is consumed during celebrations and the Catholic mass. Alcohol is also central to many other important Catholic practices.

Catholic monks throughout Europe make and sell liquors, beers, and wines, using recipes they have cultivated and perfected over centuries. For example, Chartreuse is a French liquor made by Carthusian monks for over 200 years. The recipe was given to them by François-Annibal d'Estrées, a French diplomat and soldier, who was closely affiliated with the Catholic Church. The liquor is made at the monastery located in the Chartreuse Mountains in southeastern France. Chartreuse is herbally infused alcohol, available in both green and yellow colorings, with distinct flavors of herbs like mint, sage, and vanilla.

Another example is Aromas de Montserrat, a Spanish herbal wine made by monks at the Montserrat Monastery, located on Montserrat Mountain. The monastery has been a Catholic practicing site for over a century and is now a place of pilgrimage in Spain. The monks use 12 out of the 13 naturally growing spices on the mountain to make their famous Spanish wine.

Trappist beer is brewed by Trappist monks, who practice Catholicism in monasteries and abbeys across the globe. The beer is made in 14 different monasteries, most of which are spread across Europe, with only one in the United States. The production of Trappist beer is regulated by the International Trappist Association (ITA), which promotes the sale and production of the beer. Each monastery produces its own unique beer, offering travelers a diverse range of drinking experiences.

Monks have also been known to produce mead, a honey wine made by fermenting honey and water with yeast. Monks kept bees for beeswax to make candles, and honey was a byproduct used to sweeten food and brew mead.

Social drinking

Whether nuns can drink beer or not depends on the specific vows they have taken. Ultimately, it is up to the individual nun and congregation whether they choose to drink alcohol.

In Buddhism, monks and nuns take vows to abstain from intoxicating substances, as the Buddha stated that enlightenment requires a clear mind, free from mind-altering substances. In Catholicism, nuns are not encouraged to drink, but it is not considered sinful when done in moderation.

Some nuns do choose to drink alcohol, and it is not uncommon for nuns to drink socially during feast days or when entertaining guests. In the Middle Ages, monks and nuns regularly consumed alcoholic beverages, including ales and wines, with fewer associations of alcohol as we understand them today.

Nuns, like anyone, may choose to abstain from alcohol as a gift to God, but this is a personal decision. One nun, Sister Ruth, stated that she believes God is not strict about the consumption of alcohol, and that "pardonable sins, like eating too many sweets or drinking beer, are fine."

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