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Non-Stealing
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separately in Buddhism in Pancasila for the laity as it does in Jainism. Though both these virtues cannot be regarded as identical in one sense, they should be understood as similar, i.e. the root of both the vices of stealing and possession is greed or covetousness, and in this sense Buddhism is right in regarding them as similar. As soon as this root is eradicated alnost both the vices would vanish. This is perhaps the only basis of the mixing of the two in Buddhism. However, it cannot also be thought that Buddhism has over-assimilated the two vices of stealing and possession, and has altogether ignored the difference between the two because in the ten precepts (dasasilas) of the monks at least Buddhism separately puts the precept of jatarūpa-rajata-pratigrahana-virati, though for the laymen it is not separately stated in the Pancasilas. But in short it can be said that it is parigraha which gives rise to 'adattadana'. In the Digha Nikaya1 parigraha is condemned. Parigrahi (one who has attachment for possession) cannot free himself from hatred (vaira), nor is he free from violence (vyāpāda), at the same time he is filled with afflictions (klesas) and all things of this kind. On the other hand, an ‘aparigrahi' is automatically free from hatred (vaira, violent attitude (vyāpāda), afflictions (klesas) and all things of this kind. So Buddhism proclaims non-attachment for possession not only for the eradication of the vice of stealing but also for the other basic evils. Wealth and property are not help but hindrance to moral life as such; this is why Buddha never had a deep contempt for wealth. In some places, even in Dhammapada it is said, "one would face several difficulties in old age without wealth, and life would become miserable without it." Every Buddhist has certainly to acquire some wealth, 1. सपरिगहा भो गोतमो सवेरचित्ता" 'सव्यापज्झचित्ता भो गोतम... संकिलिट्ठचित्ता" " अवसंवत्ती" "अपरिग्गहो भो गोतमो" अवरेचित्तो''''अव्यापज्झं' 'असं किलिटटं वसवत्ती भो गोतमो । -Digha, Tevijja. Sutta. 28, 45.
2. अचरित्वा ब्रह्मचरियं अलद्धा यो बने धनं, सेन्ति चापातिखित्ताव पुराणानि अनुत्थनं ।
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–Dhammapada, 156.
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