In many different cultures and religions around the world, cannabis has been used as a spiritual herb. From Hinduism to Rastafarianism and even Christianity, cannabis has played an important role in many spiritual practices.
For example, the Book of Exodus describes God instructing Moses to infuse a sacred oil with kaneh bosm (cannabis) and other herbs. Archaeologists have discovered traces of this herbal sacrament in ancient tombs.
Hinduism
Cannabis has a long and storied history in Hinduism, with sacred stories of Lord Shiva using cannabis to sustain himself. It is also a common part of Hindu festivals, especially those honoring Shivaratri (Shiva’s birthday) and Holi, the Festival of Colors.
In Hinduism, a person’s actions determine their fate in this life and the next. This philosophy is based on karma, which is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is important to know that “bad karma” leads to negative consequences in this or the next life, while “good karma” brings good results.
One of the most prominent spiritual practices in Hinduism is yoga, a discipline that involves meditation and breathing techniques. It is also a practice of self-knowledge, with each individual seeking to realize their true nature.
According to Hinduism, the ultimate goal is to become enlightened, which means becoming aware of and conscious of their divine presence within. Through a variety of practices, including yoga, meditation, and prayer, Hindus believe they can achieve this goal.
Another Hindu practice is bhakti, which is a devotional way of life that focuses on worshipping and loving one’s god. It includes a variety of practices that focus on ritual, ascetic discipline, and pilgrimages.
Those who follow bhakti are often called sadhus, which means holy men or women. They typically wear very little clothing, a sign of their commitment to renunciation. They also have long, coiled hair and may wear religious markers across their bodies.
These bhakti-loving sadhus use cannabis in their ceremonies, often smoking it or drinking a drink known as bhang. In some cases, they even eat the plant, which can be used as a dietary supplement or a food ingredient.
Many Hindus also recite the Vedic mantra Om, which is a form of praise for the universe and the Gods. This practice is a powerful way to meditate on God’s creation and help connect with him.
Despite all the sage advice, some people still choose to smoke cannabis, citing its sacred role in religion and spirituality. There are some Hindu groups that meet semi-regularly to socialize and share a joint or a cone, while others use it as a sacrament. These groups share a belief that marijuana is a means to access parts of consciousness beyond the mind’s rational thought processes, as well as to help stave off worldly desires.
Buddhism
The role of cannabis in religious and spiritual practices is a topic that many people are interested in. There are a number of different religions that have had a positive relationship with cannabis.
For instance, in Buddhism cannabis was used as a medicinal herb by the Buddha and his followers. It also was a key ingredient in Lord Shiva’s favorite dish, Bhang (pictured below).
In Buddhism cannabis is considered to be a sacred plant that can support and enhance meditation. It can be smoked or vaped to relax the body and mind, and it is also said to help you focus on your breath.
This means that it can help you become more centered in your awareness and able to concentrate better on your meditation practice. In addition, it can also be used as an aid in chanting or other forms of prayer, as well as being a powerful tool to help you achieve deeper states of consciousness.
Throughout the Bible, cannabis is mentioned numerous times as a source of power and enlightenment. The most famous reference is in the book of Exodus when God appears to Moses in a burning bush and communicates with him through smoke.
The Buddhist religion arose in India around the 6th century bce. It is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and the philosophy of karma. The Buddha believed that humans suffer because of desire and attachment to material things. He sought to understand this cycle of suffering and find a way to escape it.
He developed the concept of karma and rebirth. He believed that if a person practiced skilful mental states and actions, they could change the future and lay the groundwork for a favourable rebirth.
His goal was to discover a path that would lead to freedom from suffering and teach others how to do the same. He eventually reached a state of enlightenment and was recognised as the Buddha, or “the awakened one.”
Buddhists believe that suffering is caused by rebirth in six realms of existence: human beings, demigods, ghosts, hell beings, animals, and astral beings. They seek to free themselves from this cycle of rebirth and to reach a state beyond suffering called nirvana. They practice meditating, engaging in ethical acts, and cultivating compassion.
Christianity
The role of cannabis in religious and spiritual practices dates back centuries. It’s a common practice among many cultures, and a sacrament (a sacred substance used for spiritual purposes) in many religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Rastafarianism, Shintoism, Sufism and Christianity.
Ancient civilizations have been characterized by shamanism and animistic beliefs, and cannabis was often used to facilitate mystical insight in these communities. Archaeologists have found traces of cannabis flower and seeds on mummified pharaohs’ tombs, suggesting the plant was a key component of their cults.
Throughout the world, people have been using cannabis to experience spiritual highs, called “peak experiences,” for millennia. These transcendent experiences are thought to evoke unitive consciousness at the heart of mystical insight, and are viewed as a key part of many spiritual traditions.
In fact, the oldest known evidence of cannabis use as a religious sacrament is found in 2700 BC. The flowers and seeds of the cannabis plant were discovered in a shaman’s grave in western China, where they were placed in a basket and bowl next to the shaman’s head and feet.
Herodotus wrote about the ancient funerary rites of the Scythians, a nomadic people from Central Asia who used cannabis in their funeral rituals. They sat in closed tents, threw seeds onto hot stones to smoulder, and breathed in their smoke.
They believed the smoke from their marijuana smoulderings was cleansing and spiritually rejuvenating, and that it allowed them to see clearly what was going on around them. They also viewed the smoke as a way to reach out to God, as it caused them to howl with joy when they inhaled it.
Some researchers have even suggested that Jesus and his disciples used cannabis as an ingredient in their healing ointment, which was a part of their sacramental practices. It is possible that Jesus did in fact smoulder marijuana to help him communicate with his Father, as some scholars have suggested.
However, it is not a universally accepted practice within the Christian church. Some thinkers are of the opinion that Christians should avoid the recreational use of cannabis in church, as it is similar to alcohol in its ability to distort reality and can be addictive.
Rastafarianism
The use of cannabis is an important part of the Rastafarian religion. The Rastafarian faith is based in Jamaica and was founded by people of African descent as a response to white colonial oppression in the 1930s. It is a melding of Old Testament teachings with a belief in a return to Africa and a vision for an ideal future.
In Rastafarianism, marijuana (known as “ganja” in Jamaica) is regarded as the Tree of Life in the Bible and a sacred plant. It is a sacramental herb and induces a meditative state, according to Rastafarian beliefs.
Smoking marijuana is a ritual practice that enables Rastafarians to connect with their spiritual guides and communicate with the spirits of plants. It is also a way to keep members in a higher mental state during discussions, performances and rituals.
Although many people associate Rastafarianism with Bob Marley, the faith is not a drug addiction and its followers do not consider marijuana to be a recreational drug. Marijuana is used in spiritual practices and a Rastafarian’s daily rituals to promote peace, love, and unity amongst the community.
Rastas also believe that marijuana is a divine herb that helps to enlighten the mind. They smoke marijuana as part of what they call nyabinghi, reasoning sessions that take place in communal settings. These sessions are usually a nightlong event that includes prayers, meditation, drumming, chanting, and song.
In addition to smoking marijuana, Rastafarians often engage in a variety of rituals that involve long-stemmed water pipes called chalices. These sessions are called “reasonings” and are a form of ritual discussion that focuses on the principles of Rastafarianism. Reasoning sessions are a time for Rastas to discuss their lives, their history and their future. They also often include music, dance and food.
