Lzh Mg Bi Pm Pj 2Theft
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adinnādāna
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Adinnādāna Sutta: Taking What Is Not Given
Background
Adinnādāna—provisionally translated as "taking what is not given"—is one of the five fundamental precepts (Pañcasīla) in Theravāda Buddhism. This text appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, particularly within the Pātimokkha collections—the sets of ethical rules that all monks must uphold.
The historical context of this text concerns the development of the Saṅgha under the Buddha Gotama. As the number of disciples grew, ethical issues within the monastic community began to arise. Acts of taking property without the owner's consent gave rise to disputes and affected the harmony of the Saṅgha. Accordingly, the Buddha established clear rules in order to protect the spiritual integrity and conduct of his disciples.
Main Content
Adinnādāna concerns the taking (ādāna) of things not given (adinnā)—that is, taking without the consent of the owner. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, such conduct is regarded as a violation of Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, depending on the degree and nature of the act.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the act of taking what is not given is defined in detail through numerous specific situations. It is not limited to taking objects of great value, but encompasses small objects as well, provided they belong to another and have not been permitted to be taken. In the Saṅgha in particular, this is strongly emphasized, as sacred objects—such as collections of scriptures and articles belonging to the monastery—are regarded as especially significant.
The text also clarifies the distinction between different cases. A monk who takes an object with the intention of stealing is considered to have committed a more serious violation than one who mistakenly takes something through forgetfulness. Intention (cetanā)—the volition behind the action—is the decisive factor in assessing the degree of the violation. Buddhism emphasizes that action is constituted by intention; therefore, wrongful intention is the root of transgression.
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