About This Answer
Does the precept against false speech cover only lying, or also divisive, harsh and aimless speech? Ajahn Dtun answers that within the five precepts the main emphasis is on not lying. Practising right speech more subtly also includes refraining from divisive, coarse and idle speech. If mindfulness notices that acting on such thoughts would create suffering, one should have the self-control not to speak.
A second question asks whether the precept on intoxicants applies to alcohol used in medicine or cooking. Medicinal alcohol is not wrong, he explains, nor is alcohol added to food, which usually evaporates and leaves little smell or taste. But if so much is consumed through cooking that it actually makes one drunk, that is wrong.