Bi Pj 22. The training rule on stealing
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adinnādāna
A nun who steals anything of value is expelled.
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The Explanation of the Rule on Taking What Is Not Given (Adinnādāna)
From the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
The rule on taking what is not given (Adinnādāna — the Pāli term for the act of taking what has not been given) is the second rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This rule is recorded in Bi Pj 2, a section of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha — the collection of ethical rules that nuns are required to observe.
The origin of this rule is connected to events during the time of the Buddha. As the Sangha grew, the need for clear rules to govern communal life and protect the Sangha's good reputation became increasingly pressing. The rule on taking what is not given is not merely a matter of controlling individual behavior, but also of preserving the trust of the lay community toward the Sangha.
Main Content
According to the rule of Adinnādāna, any nun who takes anything of value without the permission of its owner commits a Pārājika offense — the most serious offense, leading to expulsion from the Sangha. The crucial point here is intention: the act must involve the deliberate taking of what has not been given, and not occur through mistake or accident.
The object taken must be of "value" — this distinguishes it from things without value such as grass or rubbish. "Value" is understood contextually, but generally refers to things that someone would regret losing or that can be exchanged. The owner of the object must be a person with rightful ownership, not a co-user, nor something that has been abandoned.
This rule applies equally to all nuns, regardless of rank or length of practice. Once the offense is committed, the nun has no opportunity to seek absolution within the framework of the Sangha — expulsion is final. This reflects the solemnity that Theravāda Buddhism accords to this principle.
Practical Significance
The rule on taking what is not given is not merely a cold legal prohibition. It embodies a profound spirit: absolute respect for the property of others and mindful governance of intention in every action.
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