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Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
Around 2500 years ago, a man lived who became a great teacher. His name was
Siddhartha Gotama. He later became known as The Buddha (The Awakened One). His
teachings have inspired many people throughout the ages. After his death people wrote
about his teachings so that the teachings could live on.
In my study of Buddhism I discovered many parallels with a way in which many
people end the suffering which is related with alcoholism and addiction, known as the
twelve step recovery programs. These programs include Alcoholics Anonymous,
Narcotics Anonymous, and many others. These are considered by many to be spiritual
programs, rather than religious programs. The spiritual principles of the twelve step
programs
1
are paralleled in Buddhism in many places, and many parts of the steps
themselves are visible in Buddhism.
“In this world, just as there are many medicines for a particular disease, so there are
many religious systems for achieving happiness for all sentient beings, human and
otherwise. Though each of these systems has different modes of practice and different
modes of expression, I think that they are all similar in that they improve the body,
speech and spirit of those who practice them, and in that they all have good aims.”
(Gyatso, T (Dalai Lama XIV) 1975, pg 17)
The Four Noble Truths
One of the major foundations of Buddhism are the four noble truths. It is a diagnosis,
assessment of cause, and proposed cure for the afflictions of life.
2
We see many of the
basics of recovery in these four truths.
The first of these truths is that in life suffering (Dukka) exists. For many alcoholics or
addicts, this is obvious, but for some, denial of this suffering is not uncommon. The first
step of all twelve step programs is an admission of this suffering. “We admitted that we
were powerless over (our addiction), and that our lives had become unmanageable”.
The second truth is that the origin of this suffering is desire or craving (Tanha). One
has a desire for more of the good things, and when it is discovered that they are only
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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temporary, more is needed to replace what has been lost. Much of the addict’s suffering
is caused by the desire to use drugs, and its consequences. The desire to use drugs (or
drink) has become so all consuming, that it takes over, regardless of its consequences.
The third truth is that in order to eliminate this suffering, it is necessary to eliminate
this desire (craving). All of these first three truths are expressed in the first step.
The fourth truth is the proposed solution of the 8 fold path. It is proposed as a solution
to end suffering, but one has to be willing to follow this path. This is related to the twelve
step principle of willingness.
The Eight Fold Path
The eight fold path can be summarized as: Right view, Right intention, Right
speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right
concentration. These parts are progressive, as the later ones are dependant upon the
strength of the earlier ones for their successful application. As with the twelve steps they
are meant to be developed in order, and to be practiced simultaneously.
The 8 fold path is often divided into 3 parts. The first two of the eight involve
development of wisdom. The next three of the eight involve ethical conduct. The last
three of the eight deal with mental and spiritual growth. In order to have spiritual growth,
one must have ethical conduct, and in order to have ethical conduct one must have
wisdom. The development of the later parts depends upon the preceding parts for its
success.
This is similar to the twelve steps, which are often divided into the first five, the
next four and the last three. The first five of the twelve steps (1-5) deal with knowing
who we are and our place in the world. The next four of the steps (6-9) have to do with
how we conduct ourselves in the world. The last of the steps (10-12) address spiritual
development.
Wisdom
Right View is sometimes translated into English as right understanding. It is an
understanding of the four noble truths: Suffering, Cause of Suffering, Cessation of
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Suffering, and The Eightfold Path. It is considered to be taken as a basis for a life of
patient and humble acceptance.
Right Intention can be described as commitment to ethical and mental selfimprovement.
It has mainly three elements: renunciation or giving up of sensual
enjoyment; developing thoughts of loving kindness and goodwill; and practicing amity
and concord, abstaining from violence. This is related to the sixth step “We were entirely
ready to have (God) remove these defects of character”.
Ethical Conduct
Right Speech is an abstinence from false, hurtful, backbiting, or slanderous talk.
Again this is honesty. It also relates to the ninth step “Made direct amends wherever
possible, except when to do so would injure them or others”, and to the tenth step “…and
when we were wrong promptly admitted it”.
Right Action deals with abstinence from physical misconduct. This includes the 5
precepts that all Buddhists take. (Not to kill, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to
lie, and not to partake of alcoholic drinks or drugs, or anything that weakens one’s mindcontrol). This is reflected in the principle of honesty of the twelve step way. None of the
twelve step programs condone the use of intoxicants.
Right Livelihood has to do with how one earns a living. The Buddhists say that
one should not be employed in the selling of weapons, slavery, prostitution, intoxicants,
and poisons. Although occupation is not formally addressed in twelve step recovery, but
it is readily apparent that one should not work at a bar, or be a drug dealer.
Mental and Spiritual Development
Right Effort is putting forth of effort consciously with the regard to thoughts. An
effort is made to prevent the arising of unwholesome thoughts, to abandon unwholesome
thoughts, to develop wholesome thoughts, and to maintain wholesome thoughts. This is a
sense of willingness to change. It is also represented by the sixth step “We were entirely
ready (to have God) remove these defects of character”. Having unwholesome thoughts is
considered to be a defect of character.
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Right Mindfulness is self awareness. The Buddha insisted that we seek to
understand ourselves in depth. It is an awareness of every action taken. It is similar to the
fourth step “We took a fearless and thorough moral inventory of ourselves” and in the
tenth step “We continued to take personal inventory…...”
Right concentration is having a “one-pointedness” of mind. The Buddhist method
of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. This
echoes the eleventh step “We sought through (prayer and) meditation to improve our
conscious contact with god as we understood him….”
The Three Gems
In Buddhism there are what is known as the Three Gems (or Refuges) of
Buddhism (The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha), which are three essential
components of Buddhism. The Buddha is the teacher, the dharma is the teachings, and
the sangha is the community of Buddhists.
“I take refuge in the Buddha, that fact that there was an explorer who made this
trip and proved it to us that it can succeed. I take refuge in the Dharma, the vehicle of
transport, this boat that we have committed our lives to in the conviction that it is
seaworthy. I take refuge in the Sangha, the order, the crew that is navigating this ship, in
whom we have confidence.”(Smith, 1991, pg 145)
We see a close parallel here with the twelve step program of recovery. The
sponsor is the teacher, the literature is the texts, and the meetings are the community of
peoples in recovery. Often in times of trouble, people in recovery turn to these three
things (seeking refuge).
The Community
“One of the three things for which we should give thanks for every day, according
to Shankara, is for the company of the holy; for as bees cannot make honey unless
together, human beings cannot make progress on the way unless they are supported by a
field of confidence and concern that Truthwinners generate. The Buddha agrees. We
should associate with Truthwinners, converse with them, serve them, observe their ways,
and imbibe by osmosis their spirit of love and compassion.” (Smith, 1991, pg. 105)
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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The Buddhists place great importance on is their community. It is not uncommon for
adherents of Buddhism to spend some time in a monastery, or to go on meditative
retreats.
Many people in twelve step recovery band together in group meetings, for they
realize that they cannot do it alone, they need to be with others who have similar
experiences in order to succeed. An association with those with more experience (clean
time) will most often lead to a better quality of recovery. As the Buddhists look to great
teachers, many in recovery do, and they are often found at meetings.
Sila
For the lay Buddhist there are 5 precepts (Sila) that are taken as vows. For those in the
clergy there are more. The first four of these lay precepts are abstaining from killing,
stealing, sexual misconduct, and from telling lies. Once again, we find honesty.
“In Buddhism the initial, purifying stage of spiritual development is called sila, usually
translated as morality or virtue -- what one teacher calls “cleaning up your act.” This
involves living an ethical life; treating others and ourselves with kindness; and letting go
of destructive behaviors. In Buddhist teachings, sila is formalized in the Five Lay
Precepts -- and number five is “I take the training to abstain from alcohol and drugs
which make me heedless.” So, guess what? The Buddha didn't think getting loaded was
that good an idea either -- the Twelve Steps are, in fact, sila.” (Griffin, 2004, pg. 85)
The Mahayana belief in higher powers
Two major divisions found within Buddhism are the Theravada and the Mahayana.
They have much in common, but there are significant differences. The Theravada teaches
that progress is up to the individual, whereas the Mahayana believe in divine grace.
Although both of the major forms of Buddhism have things in common with twelve step
recovery, the Mahayana form of Buddhism, with its belief in a higher power, parallels the
twelve step program more closely than the Theravada form. The Mahayanists include
petitionary prayer as a part of their practice. (see Smith, 1991, pgs 122-126)
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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The Mahayanists see “…Sakyamuni (The Buddha) as a manifestation skillfully
projected into earthly life by a long–enlightened transcendent being, who is still available
to teach the faithful through visionary experiences” (Harvey, 1990. pg. twelve5)
In the twelve step programs the notion of a higher power if fundamental. Five of the
twelve refer to a “higher power” (2,3,5,6,7,11). The second step says “Came to believe
that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
Many people have heard the twelve step prayer “God, grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to
know the difference.” This is a direct appeal to a higher power (God) for divine help.
The Bodhisattva
“It is my personal belief that Bill W., the author of the Twelve Steps, was an
American Buddha, that he attained enlightenment as a result of his tremendous suffering
and then passed on his profoundly simple teaching to us. He has saved millions from
death and never, during his lifetime, asked for anything in return, not even fame, using
only his last initial in lieu of his name until his death. Truly the mark of a great
bodhisattva or saint. When the history of the twentieth century is written, I am certain
that Bill’s introduction of the Twelve Steps will be viewed as one of the greatest spiritual,
if not religious, movements of the time.” (Ash,1993, pg. 6)
The role of the bodhisattva in Buddhism is one of great importance. A bodhisattva is a
person who chooses to remain in the world and teach the ways of enlightenment to those
are here. This is reflected in the twelfth step. “Having had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to (addicts / alcoholics)…...”
Although many in recovery have not consumed alcohol or used drugs for years, they still
continue to attend meetings and work with others in recovery.
Reincarnation
The Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and that what one does in this life will have
an effect on subsequent lives. It is the goal of Buddhists to transcend the cycle of birth
and death and thusly end the suffering that is a part of life. I found no connection with
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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twelve step recovery here. One of the traditions of the twelve step programs (10th
tradition) is that they have no opinion on outside issues, and this is considered by most to
be an outside issue (the afterlife is outside of the context of recovery).
Conclusion
The Buddhist belief in reincarnation is not found in the twelve step programs, but the
Buddhist way of dealing with the cycle of birth and death takes place in this life time,
which is where the twelve step programs also apply their efforts.
The Mahayana belief in a higher power makes it closer to the twelve step way than
that of the Theravada, but both of the Buddhist ways have much common ground that is
also found in the twelve step programs. The four noble truths, the eightfold path, the three
gems, the sila, the community, and the bodhisattva are all aspects of Buddhism that
promote positive changes in the self. They have discovered that it is the self that needs to
change in order to end suffering.
In Buddhism, at the root of our desires is our selfishness, and in order to eliminate our
suffering we need to eliminate our selfishness. They teach that ones unhealthy desires can
become eliminated by acknowledging and applying a spiritual approach to how one lives
their lives. These spiritual principles are often referred to as ways of loving kindness.
The twelve step program is a spiritual path that changes lives in ways that include
ending the suffering of alcoholism or addictions. Often alcoholism or addiction is
accompanied by much other suffering in life. It is also a path that realizes that it is the
self that needs to change in order for ones suffering to be alleviated. This, like Buddhism,
is accomplished through self realization, self improvement, and application of spiritual
principles.
Buddhism and twelve step recovery have common elements because they have a
similar goal, which is to remove suffering. They both believe that one is truly the cause of
their own suffering, and for that suffering to be relieved, it is the self that needs to
change.
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Notes
1. “There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our recovery; this is
an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles. Three of these that
are indispensable are honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. With these we are well
on our way.” (Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, 1982, pg 18)
2. “Because true sufferings arise from true sources, true sources actually preceed true
sufferings. Also, through cultivating true paths, true cessations are actualized: true paths
therefore actually preceed true cessations. However, the Blessed One reversed this order
when he taught the four noble truths, and this is extremely important. For, if initially one
recognizes the sufferings, then one investigates their causes: therefore, Buddha set forth
the sources of suffering after identifying the sufferings themselves. When one generates
confidence in the ability to eliminate these sources, then a wish to actualize their
cessation arises. Then for the sake of doing this, a wish to cultivate the path arises:
therefore Buddha set forth the true paths after identifying true cessations.” (Gyatso, T
(XIV Dalai Lama), (1975) pg 24)
A parallel with the twelve steps exists here. The first step identifies the suffering, and
when the first step is taken (applied) it is discovered that we are the source of our own
sufferings. “Selfishness, self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.”
(Alcoholics Anonymous (1976) pg 62)
The second step proposes a solution to the
problem, and the third step is the actual implementation of this solution.
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Bibliography :
Smith, Huston (1991) The Worlds Religions (New York:Harper-Collins)
Harvey, Peter (1990) An Introduction to Buddhism (Cambridge:CUP)
Bhikkhu Bodhi (2000) The Buddha and His Message (Penang, Taiwan:Suki Hotu)
Ash, Mel (1993) The Zen of Recovery (New York:Penguin Putnam Inc.)
Griffin, Kevin (2004) One Breath at a time (Emmaus, Pa.:Rodale)
Gyatso, Tenzen (Dalai Lama XIV) (1975)The Buddhism of Tibet and The Key to The
Middle Way (New York:Harper & Row)
Goddard, Dwight (1966) A Buddhist Bible (Boston:Beacon Press)
(AA*) (1976) Alcoholics Anonymous 3rd ed.(New York:A.A. World Services Inc.)
(NA**) (1982) Narcotic Anonymous Basic Text (Van Nuys, Ca:NA World Services Inc)
* Although no author is giver, much of this book is credited to Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob
Smith, the co-founders of AA
** Although no author is given, it is a work of many people involved with the Narcotics
Anonymous World Service organization
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous
1
We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become
unmanageable.
2 We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3 We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
4 We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5 We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our
wrongs.
6 We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7 We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8 We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to
them all.
9 We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would
injure them or others.
10 We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted
it.
11 We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God
as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to
carry that out.
12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this
message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
(Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text (1982) pg 23)
Theodore Bieber
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)
Themes of Twelve Step Recovery found in Buddhism
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Note from the writer :
Although I intended for this paper to be about 2000 words, I found as I was writing
it, that it to be a much broader topic than I realized before writing the paper. The word
count of this paper is approximately 2050 words, not including the bibliography, notes,
and quotes of 3 sentences or less. I included a list of the twelve steps from Narcotics
Anonymous at the end of the paper as a reference. This is not counted in the word count
either.
Theodore Bieber
Theodore Bieber
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
R103 Comparative Religions (2005 Fall Term)