Xct Mu Bi Pj 2Theft
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adinnādāna
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Sutra on Taking What Is Not Given (Adinnādāna)
Background
This sutra passage lies in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the regulations on ethics and discipline in the Sangha. Adinnādāna, or taking what is not given, is one of the most serious violations in Buddhism. The sutra was recorded in the context of the Buddha establishing the ethical foundation for the Sangha in order to maintain purity and the trust of the people.
In Indian society at the Buddha's time, taking what was not given was considered among the most shameful actions. The Buddha, with unsurpassed wisdom, especially emphasized this offense because it violates the basic principle of ethics and directly harms the lives of others. Through detailed rules, he guided bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to recognize clearly the boundary between taking and giving, between rightful ownership and unlawful appropriation.
Main Content
Taking what is not given (Adinnādāna) is defined as appropriating the property of others without consent. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, this conduct includes specific cases such as taking money, jewelry, the belongings of a bhikkhu, or other valuable items without the owner's permission. Even taking small things, if not permitted, is considered a violation of the principle.
The Vinaya distinguishes clearly between levels of violation according to the value of the object taken, the intention of the person acting, and the degree of awareness of the wrongful nature of the act. A bhikkhu who takes an object worth the value of an Indian coin or more without permission has violated the Patimokkha, the basic precepts. If the object belongs to the Sangha or a monastery, the offense is considered more serious.
The rule also clarifies that "taking" must be understood broadly: it is not only material appropriation but also includes indirect actions such as enticing others to give an object or directing another person to take it on one's behalf. The reason for this is to protect the purity of the Sangha and maintain the people's trust in bhikkhus.
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