Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Pc 67Travelling With Thieves

EXPLANATION OF THEYYASATTHA: THE TRAINING RULE ON TRAVELING WITH THIEVES

Background

Theyyasattha belongs to the Pācittiya rules, one of the lesser training rules in the Vinaya Piṭaka system of the Theravāda tradition. The Pāli term “theyyasattha” means “a caravan of thieves” or “traveling with robbers.” This training rule was laid down by the Buddha to protect the honor of the Sangha, while also preventing bhikkhus from falling into danger or creating conditions for worldly people to criticize them.

During the Buddha’s lifetime, travel was mainly by land through remote forests and mountains, where bands of robbers often appeared. Monks and nuns frequently had to travel between residences to teach the Dharma and go for alms. The choice of traveling companions affected not only personal safety but also the image of Buddhism in the community. When bhikkhus, whether unintentionally or intentionally, traveled with those engaged in theft and robbery, this could arouse suspicion concerning the virtue of renunciants.

Main Content

This sixty-seventh Pācittiya rule prescribes: if a bhikkhu knows clearly that a person or group is composed of thieves or robbers, yet deliberately makes an arrangement and travels with them, even only from one village to another, he commits a Pācittiya offense and must confess before the Sangha.

The elements constituting the violation are threefold. First, the bhikkhu must know clearly or have firm grounds that the companion is a thief or robber. Second, there is an appointment or agreement to travel together. Third, they actually travel together over a certain distance, according to the standard sufficient to be considered “in the same party.”

The Vinaya distinguishes cases: if he does not know that the person is a thief or robber, there is no offense. If he merely happens to be going the same way without prior arrangement, there is no offense. If he is compelled by dangerous circumstances to travel together, such as crossing a deep forest where there is only one group, this may be considered a mitigating case.

The spirit of this rule lies in the words “knowing clearly” (sampajāna) and “intentionally” (sañcicca). The Buddha did not forbid bhikkhus from coming into contact with wrongdoers in order to teach them, but emphasized caution in association, avoiding giving occasion for worldly misunderstanding or putting oneself in dangerous situations.

Practical Meaning

For monks and nuns today, the Theyyasattha rule retains its value in the principle of protecting reputation and safety. Though means of travel have changed, the choice of companions and those with whom one lives still deeply affects the dignity of renunciants.

In the practice of discipline (sīla), a bhikkhu must be alert before forming associations. One should not hastily trust or become intimate with people of suspicious conduct, especially in activities related to property or group travel. This is not suspicion or discrimination, but reasonable caution, protecting both oneself and the integrity of the Sangha.