Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pj 2Theft
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adinnādāna
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Sutta on Taking What Is Not Given (Adinnādāna)
Background
The Adinnādāna Sutta (Pāli: taking what has not been given) is an essential part of the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pāṭimokkha Sutta, the basic code of discipline that all bhikkhus must observe. This sutta deals with one of the most basic ethical issues in the community of monks and nuns, concerning the act of taking what is not permitted.
In the historical context, these regulations were established by the Buddha to protect the public’s trust in the Sangha, while also nurturing true faith (saddhā) and moral discipline (sīla) in his ordained disciples. Each violation of this rule is not only an individual act but affects the entire Sangha, and therefore its gravity is clearly emphasized.
Main Content
Adinnādāna clearly defines the prohibited actions: taking any object that the owner has not permitted, whatever its value, from a blade of grass to gold and silver. The disciplinary text does not distinguish between direct and indirect taking, taking within the Sangha’s area or outside it. The sole determining question is: has the owner given permission or not.
According to the Pāli Canon, this act is considered a Pārājika offense, that is, a fault that cannot be repaired merely by confession within the Sangha. A bhikkhu who commits Adinnādāna must completely leave the Sangha, that is, be expelled.
This sutta also especially emphasizes intention (cetanā): the taker must be clearly aware that the object is not his and intend to take it. If it is accidental or mistaken and without intention, it is not considered a Pārājika offense, but only carelessness to be remedied by returning the object or apologizing.
Practical Meaning
Adinnādāna represents the second ethical pillar in the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla), a principle not only for bhikkhus but also for lay practitioners.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.