Lzh Mg Bu Pm Pc 72Travelling With Thieves
Pāli / Sanskrit:Theyyasattha
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COMMENTARY ON THE THEYYASATTHA SUTTA (THE DISCOURSE ON TRAVELLING WITH THIEVES)
Background
The Theyyasattha Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, specifically within the Pāṭimokkhasaṁvara — the fundamental rules of moral discipline for monks and nuns. These are not discourses on abstract doctrine, but vivid practical guidelines on the conduct of practice, established by the Buddha to protect the integrity of the Sangha and to preserve the respect accorded to Buddhism within society.
The circumstances that gave rise to this text concern monks travelling through wilderness regions where thieves were active. The question posed was: should a monk travel together with such persons in order to seek protection, or openly associate with them? This touches directly upon the purity of the Sangha and the capacity of monks to pursue their practice. The Theyyasattha Sutta is the Buddha's clear ruling on this matter.
Main Content
The fundamental rule set forth in this text is: a monk should not intentionally travel together with thieves (theyyasattha), whether his reason is to seek protection or for any other purpose whatsoever. If a monk knows in advance that those accompanying him are thieves and yet deliberately continues to travel with them, such underlying intentions give rise to moral corruption.
Nevertheless, the rule also admits of reasonable exceptions. If a monk does not know that the persons in question are thieves, or if he is compelled to travel with them by force without having initially agreed to do so, then no offence is incurred. If a monk subsequently discovers that those travelling with him are thieves, he must separate himself from them immediately and must not continue in their company.
The spirit of this rule does not lie in mechanical prohibition, but in the cultivation of moral integrity (sīla) and clear comprehension (samprajañña). A monk must always be vigilant with regard to his associations and the influences they bring to bear.
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