Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pj 2Theft
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adinnādāna
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THE SUTTA ON TAKING WHAT IS NOT GIVEN (Adinnādāna)
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga and Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga contain specific rules concerning the act of taking what is not given (Adinnādāna). This is one of the five basic precepts that every Buddhist practitioner must observe, especially those who have gone forth and live under additional precepts.
The Adinnādāna Sutta was recorded to define clearly the act of taking what is not given, distinguishing cases, degrees, and special situations. The Vinaya Piṭaka not only sets forth the prohibited act but also analyzes deeply the factors that constitute an action, helping practitioners understand the boundary between violation and non-violation.
Main Content
Adinnādāna, taking what is not given, is defined as taking away anything that has not been permitted by its owner, whether small or large. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this act is regarded as a serious violation because it concerns honesty and respect for the property rights of others.
For this act to be considered a complete offense, the Vinaya Piṭaka requires certain conditions: (1) the object must belong to another; (2) the actor must know that the object is not their own; (3) the actor must have the intention to take it; (4) the actual act must be completed.
The sutta classifies different situations: taking from the living, taking from the dead, and taking from other beings. It also considers special cases such as taking sacred objects, taking in an emergency, or unintentional mistakes. This analysis allows practitioners to understand the boundary between a mistaken act and a conscious violation.
Practical Meaning
Keeping the vow not to take what is not given is not merely obedience to an external rule, but the development of inner honesty and deep respect. To practice this consciously, one must cultivate mindfulness (sati) in every action, from the smallest matters such as borrowing a toothbrush to larger transactions.
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