How Cannabis Have Shaped Religion

By Jon Slotnick
Source: mmjreporter.com

Cannabis is as old as the civilization itself and has been used for decades for both spiritual and religious purposes. Weed is known to have the ability to induce the unique spiritual and understanding.

The history shows that humans have used as a mind-altering substance that thrills them to search for purpose, meaning, and illumination. Marijuana is still the key substance used by cultures across the globe in particular faiths and religions. Here is a number of religions using Cannabis:

Taoism

It’s an ancient Chinese religion that dates back to 4^th century BC that combined cannabis with their spiritual faith. Cannabis was used in most ritual incense-burners, which are used to eliminate selfish desire and instill a state of naturalness. Cannabis was also used to communicate with both the good and evil spirits.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, cannabis is categorized as one of the five sacred plants that are believed to embrace the guardian angel in its leaves. Cannabis is also the great source of happiness, a liberator, and a joy-giver that enables the humans to get into their senses and eliminate fear.

Hindus use three types of marijuana formulations which include Bhang (a milky drink made from weed), Charas (made from resin), and Ganja (smoked buds). They believe that consuming cannabis help in cleansing and purifying the body during religious ceremonies.

Buddhism

Just like the Hindus, Buddhist practitioners have a huge history of the use of weed for religious purposes. The founder of the religion is believed to have lived each day on only one hemp seed as he searched for a path to enlightenment. Cannabis was known to heighten the awareness during the ceremony, prayer, and meditation.

Rastafarian Religion

Found in Jamaica in the 1930s, the Rastafari religion uses applies cannabis for various ceremonies. Rastafarians believe that cannabis heightens consciousness, increase pleasure in life, relieves anxiety, reduces negative energies and brings the person closer to their creator.

Other Religions

Cannabis has also been used in other religions during the ancient times especially among the Greeks, Pagans, and even in the Old Testament and other religious movements.