We should use our speech to promote harmony and understanding, guiding others toward kindness and wisdom. Whenever possible, we should introduce the Buddha's teachings to others and encourage them to walk that path. To behave otherwise would result in the breaking of this Precept. No Taking of Intoxicants . This is a precept of prevention.
Intoxicants can delude and confuse the mind, harming our seeds of wisdom.
The Buddha established this precept to prevent the breaking of the other four Precepts when one loses good conscience after intoxication. Intoxicants include alcohol, drugs, and the like. To behave otherwise would result in the breaking of this Precept. There are instances, under certain circumstances, when a Precept might not be strictly observed because harm might be done to others if the precept were strictly upheld. For example, when you attend a wedding ceremony or a birthday party for non-Buddhist friends, you might be expected to drink some wine to celebrate the occasion.