Volume 4: The Solitary One
The Book of Documents says: the Grand Preceptor, the Grand Mentor, and the Grand Guardian are called the Three Dukes. The Junior Preceptor, the Junior Mentor, and the Junior Guardian are called the Three Solitaries. They received the precepts of Confucius.
Yuan Lian Xixian was once ordered by Emperor Shizu to receive the precepts from the Imperial Preceptor, Phagspa. Xixian replied, "I have already received the precepts of Confucius." Emperor Shizu asked, "Does Confucius also have precepts?" Xixian answered, "They are: as a subject, one must be loyal; as a child, one must be filial." He was often sorrowful.
The Vinaya outlines ten faults.
First, the complexion becomes dull and unpleasant. Second, strength diminishes. Third, vision grows blurry and unclear. Fourth, an angry, irritable expression appears. Fifth, it ruins one's fields, livelihood, and means of support. Sixth, it leads to sickness and disease. Seventh, it increases quarrels and disputes. Eighth, a bad reputation spreads far and wide. Ninth, wisdom decreases and fades. Tenth, after death one falls into a miserable, painful realm—lying prostrate, unaware and helpless.
There was once a laywoman who got drunk from drinking wine. A neighbor's chicken wandered into her home, and she snatched it up and killed it. When the owner came looking for the chicken, she then committed adultery with him. She also falsely claimed she had not taken the chicken. Because of this one bout of drinking, she lost all five precepts. Drinking like a cow leads to the ruin of one's family.
During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, when the emperor fell ill, state affairs were decided by the empress. Kou Zhun, the Duke of Laiguo, was deeply troubled by this. One day, he respectfully approached the emperor and said, "The crown prince is the hope of the people. I implore Your Majesty to consider the importance of the imperial lineage and pass on the sacred duty of governance to him. Choose upright and principled ministers to assist him. Ding Wei and Qian Weiyan are cunning and flattering individuals who should not be entrusted with the task of guiding the young ruler." The emperor agreed with him. Kou Zhun then secretly instructed Yang Yi to draft a memorial requesting that the crown prince oversee state affairs, with the intention of having Yang Yi serve as an advisor. However, Kou Zhun later became intoxicated and inadvertently revealed the plan. Ding Wei, upon hearing of it, used this as grounds to have Kou Zhun dismissed from his position. This serves as a warning: one may abandon wine, but one must never abandon self-control.
Duke Huan of Qi was drinking wine with Guan Zhong. Guan Zhong left half his cup unfinished.
The Duke said, "Is it acceptable to waste wine?"
Guan Zhong replied, "I have heard that those who drink too much lose control of their words, and those who lose control of their words bring ruin upon themselves. I would rather waste wine than ruin myself."
Moderation is the way in drinking.