San Lo Bi Vb Pc 52Travelling With Thieves
Pāli / Sanskrit:Theyyasattha
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Theyyasattha Sutta (The Sutta on Going With Thieves)
Background
Theyyasattha is a rule in the Pātimokkha belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pācittiya section of the disciplinary code. This sutta is recorded in the legal texts of the early Theravāda tradition and reflects practical problems that Buddhists encountered in the life of practice.
According to the context of the Vinaya, these rules were laid down by the Buddha when specific incidents occurred in the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns. The rule concerning “going with thieves” arose from the need to protect the reputation of the Sangha and the teaching, while also preventing those gone forth from acting with improper intentions. It is one of the rules intended to maintain the purity and trustworthiness of the order.
Main Content
The Theyyasattha rule provides that bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs should not travel together with people known to be thieves or intending to commit crimes. If a monk or nun travels a long distance together with such people without an objective reason, such as merely happening to go the same way, they violate the Pācittiya rule.
This rule is not without exceptions. If the distance traveled together is short, or if there are necessary reasons such as teaching that person or protecting them from danger, it may be acceptable. However, deliberately associating with people who behave unlawfully or joining in activities incompatible with the way of life of one gone forth is prohibited.
The nature of this rule is to avoid bad appearances or improper associations. Even if monks or nuns do not participate in wrongful activities, traveling together with thieves can lead to misunderstanding or diminish public confidence in the Sangha. This is an application of the principle of “avoiding not only what is bad, but also the appearance of what is bad.”
Practical Meaning
Theyyasattha is not only an administrative rule in the Sangha, but also reflects a profound principle of practice.
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