Cannabis has an ancient history of ritual usage as a trance inducing drug and is found in pharmacological cults around the world. Hemp seeds discovered by archaeologists at Pazyryk suggest early ceremonial practices by the Scythians occurred during the 5th to 2nd century BC, confirming previous historical reports by Herodotus. In India, it has been engaged by itinerant sadhus for centuries, and in modern times the Rastafari movement has embraced it. Some historians and etymologists have claimed that cannabis was engaged as a religious sacrament by ancient Jews (Rastafari also hold to this), and Muslims of the Sufi order. Look up Cannabis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up Trance in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A dried flowered bud of the Cannabis sativa plant. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Horseman, Pazyryk felt artifact, c. ... Scythian warriors, drawn after figures on an electrum cup from the KulOba kurgan burial near Kerch. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or practitioner of yoga (yogi) who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (pleasure), artha (wealth and power) and even dharma (duty). ... Haile Selassie I Rasta, or the Rastafari movement, is a religion and philosophy that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah. ... In Christian belief and practice, a sacrament is a rite that mediates divine grace, constituting a sacred mystery. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ...

Ancient Pagan use

In ancient Germanic culture cannabis was associated with the Germanic love goddess Freya. The harvesting of the plant was connected with an erotic high festival. It was believed that Freya lived as a fertile force in the plant's feminine flowers and by ingesting them one became influenced by this divine force (Rätsch 2003). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up Cannabis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Freya, in an illustration to Wagners operas by Arthur Rackham. ... A religious festival is a time of special importance marked by adherents to that religion. ...

Ancient Judaic use

According to some scholars, ^{[attribution needed]} cannabis was an ingredient of holy anointing oil mentioned in various sacred Hebrew texts. The herb of interest is most commonly known as kanah-bosim (קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם) (the singular form of which would be kanah-bos^[1]) which is mentioned several times in the Old Testament as a bartering material, incense, and an ingredient in holy anointing oil used by the high priest of the temple. The holy anointing oil described in Exodus 30:22-25 was created from 500 shekels (about 6 kg) of myrrh, half as much (about 3 kg) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels (about 3 kg) of fragrant cane (calamus,cannabis), 500 shekels (about 6kg) of cassia, and a hin (about 4... “Hebrew” redirects here. ... Note: Judaism commonly uses the term Tanakh. ...

The Septuagint translates kaneh-bosm as calamus, and this translation has been propagated unchanged to most later translations of the old testament. However, Polish anthropologist Sula Benet published etymological arguments that the Aramaic word for hemp can be read as kannabos and appears to be a cognate to the modern word 'cannabis',^[2] with the root kan meaning reed or hemp and bosm meaning fragrant. Both cannabis and calamus are fragrant, reedlike plants containing psychotropic compounds. The Septuagint: A page from Codex vaticanus, the basis of Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brentons English translation. ... Binomial name Acorus calamus L. Calamus or Common Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) is a plant from the Acoraceae family. ... Sula Benet (also known as Sara Benetowa) was a polish anthropologist of the 20th century who studied Polish and Judaic customs and traditions. ... Not to be confused with Entomology, the study of insects. ... Aramaic is a Semitic language with a four-thousand year history. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ...

Hindu use

Cannabis is believed to have been used in India as early as 1000 B.C.E.^{[citation needed]} During the Hindu festival of Holi, people consume a drink called bhang which contains cannabis flowers.^[3][4] Europe in 1000 The year 1000 of the Gregorian Calendar was the last year of the 10th century as well as the last year of the first millennium. ... Era Vulgaris redirects here. ... Celebration of Holi Holi (Hindi: होली) or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is a popular, Hindu spring festival, observed in India, also called the Festival of Colours. ... A bhang shop in India. ...

Charas, is smoked by some Shaivite devotees and cannabis itself is seen as a gift of Shiva to aid in sadhana^{[citation needed]}. Some of the wandering ascetics in India known as sadhus smoke charas out of a clay chillum. It has been suggested that Gardaa be merged into this article or section. ... Shaivism, also Saivism, is a branch of Hinduism that worships Siva as the Supreme God. ... Shiva (also spelled Siva; Sanskrit ) is considered to be the supreme God in Shaivism, a denomination of Hinduism and one of the five primary forms of the Divine in Smarta tradition or Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism. ... A Sadhana is a ritualistic meditation practice from Hindu and Buddhist spiritual traditions which is followed in order to achieve a form of spiritual purification or enlightenment. ... The tone of this article is inappropriate for an encyclopedia. ... There is also a Chillum, Maryland, a suburb North of Washington, D.C. Two small glass chillums, with bottle cap for size comparison. ...

The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report^[5] describes some traditional Hindu spiritual uses of cannabis.

Connection of ganja with the worship of Shiva.

435. It is chiefly in connection with the worship of Shiva, the Mahadeo or great god of the Hindu trinity, that the hemp plant, and more especially perhaps ganja, is associated. The hemp plant is popularly believed to have been a great favourite of Shiva, and there is a great deal of evidence before the Commission to show that the drug in some form or other is now extensively used in the exercise of the religious practices connected with this form of worship. Reference to the almost universal use of hemp drugs by fakirs, jogis, sanyasis, and ascetics of all classes, and more particularly of those devoted to the worship of Shiva, will be found in the paragraphs of this report dealing with the classes of the people who consume the drugs. These religious ascetics, who are regarded with great veneration by the people at large, believe that the hemp plant is a special attribute of the god Shiva, and this belief is largely shared by the people. Hence the of many fond epithets ascribing to ganja the significance of a divine pro-party, and the common practice of invoking the deity in terms of adoration before placing the chillum or pipe of ganja to the lips. There is evidence to show that on almost all occasions of the worship of this god, the hemp drugs in some form or other are used by certain classes of the people it is established by the evidence of Mahamabopadhya Mahesa Chandra Nyayaratna and of other witnesses that siddhi is offered to the image of Shiva at Benares, Baidynath, Tarakeswar, and elsewhere. At the Shivratri festival, and on almost all occasions before the on which this worship is practised, there is abundant evidence Commission which shows not only that ganja is offered to the god and consumed by these classes of the worshippers, but that these customs are so intimately connected with their worship that they may be considered to form in some sense an integral part of it Shiva (also spelled Siva; Sanskrit ) is considered to be the supreme God in Shaivism, a denomination of Hinduism and one of the five primary forms of the Divine in Smarta tradition or Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism. ... According to Herbert Ponting, who took this photograph in 1907, this is a fakir in Benares (Varanasi), India. ... It has been suggested that yogin be merged into this article or section. ... Sanyasa (pronounced sanyaas) symbolises the conception of the mystic life in Hinduism where a person is now integrated into the spiritual world after wholly giving up material life. ... In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an ascetic or practitioner of yoga (yogi) who has given up pursuit of the first three Hindu goals of life: kama (pleasure), artha (wealth and power) and even dharma (duty). ... There is also a Chillum, Maryland, a suburb North of Washington, D.C. Two small glass chillums, with bottle cap for size comparison. ... Benares (also known as Banaras, Kashi, Kasi and Varanasi (वाराणसी)) is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the river Ganga or Ganges in the modern north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... Tarakeswar is a city and a municipality in Hugli district in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... The festival of Maha Shivratri is looked upon with greatest reverence & respect by the devotees of Lord Shiva. ...

Worship of the hemp plant

449. The custom of worshipping the hemp plant, although not so prevalent as that of offering hemp to Shiva and other deities of the Hindus, would nevertheless appear from the statements of the witnesses to exist to some extent in some provinces of India. The reason why this fact is not generally known may perhaps be gathered from such statements as that of Pandit Dharma Nand Joshi, who says that such worship is performed in secret. There may be another cause of the denial on the part of the large majority of Hindu witnesses of any knowledge of the existence of a custom of worshipping the hemp plant in that the educated Hindu will not admit that he worships the material object of his adoration, but the deity as represented by it. The custom of worshipping the hemp plant, though not confined to the Himalayan districts or the northern portions of India alone, where the use of the products of the hemp plant is more general among the people, is less known as we go south. Still even far south, in some of the hilly districts of the Madras Presidency and among the rural population, the hemp plant is looked upon with some sort of veneration. Mr. J. H. Merriman (witness No. 28, Madras) says: "I know of no custom of worshipping the hemp plant, but believe it is held in a certain sort of veneration by some classes." Mr. J. Sturrock, the Collector of Coimbatore (witness No. 2, Madras), says: "In some few localities there is a tradition of sanctity attached to the plant, but no regular worship. "The Chairman of the Conjeveram Municipal Board, Mr. E. Subramana Iyer (witness No. 143, Madras) says: "There is no plant to be worshipped here, but it is generally used as sacrifices to some of the minor Hindu deities. "There is a passage quoted from Rudrayanmal Danakand and Karmakaud in the report on the use of hemp drugs in the Baroda State, which also shows that the worship of the bhang plant is enjoined in the Shastras. It is thus stated: "The god Shiva says to Parvati-- 'Oh, goddess Parvati, hear the benefits derived from bhang. The worship of bhang raises one to my position. In Bhabishya Puran it is stated that "on the 13th moon of Chaitra (March and April) one who wishes to see the number of his sons and grandsons increased must worship Kama (Cupid) in the hemp plant, etc." Madras refers to: the Indian city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, the former Indian state, now known as Tamil Nadu (Plural of Madra): Ancient people of Iranian affinites, who lived in northwest Panjab in the Uttarapatha division of ancient India. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... “Baroda” redirects here. ... Shastra is a Sanskrit word used to denote education/knowledge in a general sense. ... Shiva (also spelled Siva; Sanskrit ) is considered to be the supreme God in Shaivism, a denomination of Hinduism and one of the five primary forms of the Divine in Smarta tradition or Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... A bhang shop in India. ... Kama may refer to several things Kama, a Hindu god, the God of Love, son of Lakshmi. ...

Muslim use

Generally in orthodox Islam, the use of cannabis is deemed to be khamr, and therefore haraam (forbidden). As with most orthodoxies, early practices differ in this.^{[citation needed]} Some say that, as hashish was introduced in post-Koranic times, the prohibition of khamr (literally, "fermented grape") did not apply to it.^{[citation needed]} Others point to various hadith, which equate all intoxicants with khamr, and declare them all haraam, "if much intoxicates, then even a little is haraam".^{[citation needed]} Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ... harām (Arabic: حرام Ḥarām, Turkish: Haram, Malay: Haram) is an Arabic word, used in Islam to refer to anything that is prohibited by the faith. ... The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Although cannabis use in Islamic society has been consistently present, often but not exclusively in the lower classes,^{[citation needed]} its use explicitly for spiritual purposes is most noted among the Sufi. An account of the origin of this: Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ...

According to one Arab legend, Haydar, the Persian founder of the religious order of Sufi, came across the cannabis plant while wandering in the Persian mountains. Usually a reserved and silent man, when he returned to his monastery after eating some cannabis leaves, his disciples were amazed at how talkative and animated (full of spirit) he seemed. After cajoling Haydar into telling them what he had done to make him feel so happy, his disciples went out into the mountains and tried the cannabis for themselves. So it was, according to the legend, the Sufis came to know the pleasures of hashish. (Taken from the Introduction to A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Literature by Ernest Abel.) Languages Arabic other languages (Arab minorities) Religions Predominantly Islam Some adherents of Druze, Judaism, Samaritan, Christianity Related ethnic groups Jews, Canaanites, other Semitic-speaking groups An Arab (Arabic: ); is a member of a Semitic group of people whose cultural, linguistic, and in certain cases, ancestral origins trace back to the... Haydar means Lion in Arabic. ... For information about all peoples of Iran, see Demographics of Iran; for Central Asian Persians, see Tajiks. ... Sufism is a mystic tradition that found a home in Islam and encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practices dedicated to Allah, divine love and the cultivation of the heart. ...

In addition, the warrior sect of the Hashashin were said to have eaten hashish before their assassinations and were given the name "Hashasin" accordingly. This notion, traditional in the West, can be inferred from Marco Polo's account of his travels, though it has been widely disputed.^[6] Hashshashin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Sikh use

The Sikh religion developed in the Punjab in Mughal times. The common use of bhang in religious festivals by Hindus carried over into Sikh practice as well. Sikhs were required to observe Dasehra with bhang, in commemoration of the founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak.^[7] This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Punjab, 1903 Punjab Province, 1909 Punjab (Persian: ‎, meaning Land of the five Rivers) (c. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... A bhang shop in India. ... This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ...

The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report^[5] describes the traditional use of cannabis in the Sikh religion.

Among the Sikhs the use of bhang as a beverage appears to be common, and to be associated with their religious practices. The witnesses who refer to this use by the Sikhs appear to regard it as an essential part of their religious rites having the authority of the Granth or Sikh scripture. Witness Sodhi Iswar Singh, Extra Assistant Commissioner, says :"As far as I know, bhang is pounded by the Sikhs on the Dasehra day, and it is ordinarily binding upon every Sikh to drink it as a sacred draught by mixing water with it. Legend--Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, the founder of the Sikh religion, was on the gaddi of Baba Nanak in the time of Emperor Aurangzeb. When the guru was at Anandpur, tahsil Una, Hoshiarpur district, engaged in battle with the Hill Rajas of the Simla, Kangra, and the Hoshiarpur districts, the Rains sent an elephant, who was trained in attacking and slaying the forces of the enemy with a sword in his trunk and in breaking open the gates of forts, to attack and capture the Lohgarh fort near Anandpur. The guru gave one of his followers, Bachittar Singh, some bhang and a little of opium to eat, and directed him to face the said elephant. This brave man obeyed the word of command of his leader and attacked the elephant, who was intoxicated and had achieved victories in several battles before, with the result that the animal was overpowered and the Hill Rajas defeated. The use of bhang, therefore, on the Dasehra day is necessary as a sacred draught. It is customary among the Sikhs generally to drink bhang, so that Guru Gobind Singh has himself said the following poems in praise of bhang: "Give me, O Saki (butler), a cup of green colour (bhang), as it is required by me at the time of battle (vide 'Suraj Parkash,' the Sikh religious book). "Bhang is also used on the Chandas day, which is a festival of the god Sheoji Mahadeva. The Sikhs consider it binding to use it on the Dasehra day-The quantity then taken is too small to prove injurious." As Sikhs are absolutely prohibited by their religion from smoking, the use of ganja and charas in this form is not practised by them. of old Sikh times, is annually permitted to collect without interference a boat load of bhang, which is afterwards. distributed throughout the year to the sadhus and beggars who are supported by the dharamsala. This article needs cleanup. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

These views are far from universally accepted among Sikhs^{[citation needed]}, and are in fact hotly contested^{[citation needed]}. Many Sikhs consider Bhang as well as liquor to be against their religious teachings^{[citation needed]}.

Rastafari use

Members of the Rastafari movement use cannabis as a part of their worshiping of JEHOVA often called JAH, and Meditation. The movement was founded in the 1930's and while it is not known when Rastafarians first made cannabis into something sacred it is clear that by the late 1940s Rastafari was associated with cannabis smoking at the Pinnacle community of Leonard Howell. Rastafari see cannabis as a sacramental and deeply beneficial plant that is the Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible. Bob Marley, amongst many others, said, "the herb ganja is the healing of the nations." The use of cannabis, and particularly of large pipes called chalices, is an integral part of what Rastafari call "reasoning sessions" where members join together to discuss life according to the Rasta perspective. They see cannabis as having the capacity to allow the user to penetrate the truth of how things are much more clearly, as if the wool had been pulled from one's eyes. Thus the Rastafari come together to smoke cannabis in order to discuss the truth with each other, reasoning it all out little by little through many sessions. They see the use of this plant as bringing them closer to nature. In these ways Rastafari believe that cannabis brings the user closer to Jah, ie Selassie I, and pipes of cannabis are always dedicated to His Majesty before being smoked. While it is not necessary to use cannabis to be a Rastafari, some feel that they must use it regularly as a part of their faith. "The herb is the key to new understanding of the self, the universe, and God. It is the vehicle to cosmic consciousness" according to Rastafari philosophy, ^[8] and is considered to burn the corruption out of the human heart. Rubbing the ashes from smoked cananbis is also considered a healthy practice^[9]. Haile Selassie I Rasta, or the Rastafari movement, is a religion and philosophy that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Leonard P. Howell (1898 - ?) is the founder of the Rastafarian religious movement. ... The Tree-of-Life is a fictional plant (the ancestor of yams, with similar appearance and taste) in Larry Nivens Known Space universe, for which all Hominids have an in-built genetic craving. ... The Bible is the collection of sacred writings or books of Judaism and Christianity. ... Robert Nesta Marley OM (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. ... Rasta hairstyle Rastafarianism is a religious movement that believes in the divinity of former emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. ... A Rasta uses a chalice. ... A common dictionary definition of truth is agreement with fact or reality.[1] There is no single definition of truth about which the majority of philosophers agree. ... Jah (IPA: ) is the name commonly used for God in the Rastafari movement. ...

Other modern religious movements

Elders of the modern religious movement known as the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church consider cannabis to be the eucharist,^[10] claiming it as an oral tradition from Ethiopia dating back to the time of Christ.^[11] The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church is a new religious movement based on the teachings of Marcus Garvey, which claims that marijuana is the Christian sacrament. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... Christ is the English translation of the Greek word (Christós), which literally means The Anointed One. ...

Like the Rastafari, some modern Gnostic Christian sects have asserted that cannabis is the Tree of Life.^[12] Gnosticism is a blanket term for various religions and sects most prominent in the first few centuries A.D. General characteristics The word gnosticism comes from the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis (γνῶσις), referring to the idea that there is special, hidden mysticism (esoteric knowledge...

Other organized religions founded in the past century that treat cannabis as a sacrement are the THC Ministry, the Way of Infinite Harmony, Cantheism, the Cannabis Assembly, the Church of Cognizance, and the Church of the Universe. The THC Ministry, founded by Roger Christie from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. ... The Way of Infinite Harmony is a Taoist, see Taoism, sect that worships Her Holiness Princess Ma Gu, Goddess of Hemp (Immortal Xu Miao). ... Cantheism is emergent entheogen religion that uses cannabis as a sacrament of faith. ... Cannabis Assembly emblem Cannabis Assembly is a non-profit UK based religious group open to all people who declare a sincere cantheist use of cannabis. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Assembly of the Church of the Universe, an entheogen religion was established by Walter Tucker in 1969 in the Canadian province of Ontario. ...

See also

• Freedom of thought
• THC Ministry
• Free Exercise Clause
• Church of Cognizance

Freedom of thought (also called freedom of conscience and freedom of ideas) is the freedom of an individual to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, regardless of anyone elses view. ... The THC Ministry, founded by Roger Christie from the Religion of Jesus Church, is a religion which considers cannabis to be a sacrament. ... The Bill of Rights, First Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed in 1789 includes the Free Exercise Clause which guarantees the freedom of religion: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Notes

1. ^ http://www.cannabisculture.com/backissues/cc11/christ.html
2. ^ http://www.njweedman.com/kanehbosm.html
3. ^ http://www.skunked.co.uk/articles/history-intoxicant.htm
4. ^ http://www.ukcia.org/research/indian/chapt9.htm
5. ^ ^{a b} Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1893-94. Simla, India: Government Central Printing House, 1894, 7 vols., CHAPTER IX, SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS
6. ^ http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_info4.shtml
7. ^ http://www.ukcia.org/research/abel/6.htm
8. ^ http://www.watchman.org/profile/rastapro.htm
9. ^ Joseph Owens Dread, The Rastafarians of Jamaica
10. ^ http://nepenthes.lycaeum.org/Drugs/THC/bible.html
11. ^ http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_spirit2.shtml
12. ^ http://www.iamm.com/man-cu.htm#_ABRIDGED_THEOLOGICAL_DISCUSSION

Joseph Owens is a Roman Catholoic priest who wrote a number of books. ...

References

• Booth, Martin. (2004). Cannabis: A History. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-32220-8
• Shields, Rev. Dennis (1995). The Holy Herb. Source: [1] (Accessed: Thursday, March 01, 2007)
• Bennett, Chris; Lynn Osburn & Judy Osburn (1995). Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic & Religion. CA: Access Unlimited. ISBN: 0-9629872-2-0
• The Sacred Plants of our Ancestors by Christian Rätsch, published in TYR: Myth—Culture—Tradition Vol. 2, 2003–2004 - ISBN 0-9720292-1-4