Names people search for
Soma, Vedic Soma, haoma, and “what is Soma” searches belong here. This page summarizes scripture and scholarship; it does not identify a plant you should obtain.
The church’s frame
“The Church of the Only Begotten Son utilizes ALL "Earth-Based" Sacred Sacraments and medicinal substances - Plant, Herb, Mineral, Metal & Fungus”
Veda and Avesta
The Rig Veda devotes an entire book to Soma, a plant pressed into a sacred drink; its Avestan counterpart is haoma in the Zoroastrian tradition.2
The identification debate
Contested R. Gordon Wasson argued for the fly agaric (1968); others have argued for ephedra; Flattery and Schwartz argued for Syrian rue (1989).2 See Amanita muscaria and Syrian rue.
Questions and answers
What is Soma?
In the Rig Veda, Soma is a plant pressed into a sacred drink and praised as a god. Its Avestan counterpart is haoma in the Zoroastrian tradition. The botanical identity has never been settled.
Was Soma Amanita muscaria?
R. Gordon Wasson argued so in 1968. Others propose ephedra; Flattery and Schwartz argued for Syrian rue. The question remains contested.
Sources
- Official Lawful Notice — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
- Soma (drink) — the identification debate, with references
- Amanita muscaria — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
- Syrian rue — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
- Ancient sacraments — The Church of the Only Begotten Son
Scholarly claims about sacred plants in history are summarized with their sources, and contested claims are marked as contested. The church’s own beliefs are quoted exactly and linked to the page where they appear.