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Non-Stealing
stolen, or got stolen by others or should be approved if got by stealing. In practice, however, in accordance with the moderate attitude of Buddhism it takes a different shape not only befitting the laity but also a moderate ascetic, as is seen in the Vinaya, which is full of such details regarding stealing. Transgressions and Punishments
The Patimokkha code elaborately explains the legal aspects of stealing and its transgressions and punishments. Buddhaghosa's commentaries on the Vinaya and the Pätimokkha, viz. Samantapāsādikā and Kamkhavitariņi are full of numerous details on stealing as an offence. In many places Buddhaghosa describes legal procedures vividly and, as has been already seen, sometimes even mentions offences which were not even included in the Vinaya. However, in all the texts gravity of offences regarding stealing and their corresponding punishments are discussed in substantial detail.
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Stealing according to Vinaya means taking away an article which may be something as valuable as a precious stone or as insignificant as a blade of grass, without the permission of the owner. The different categories of stolen property or belongings are, as Vinaya points on,1 a treasure deposited in the earth, an article lying on the ground, on the bed, on the seat, etc., a treasure lying under water or placed in a boat or any other conveyance or vehicle, an article going in the air or an article lying in the vihara, anything from a field such as corns etc. or from garden such as fruits, flowers etc., and also property from a village or a forest, animate beings, ranging from the meanest worms up to men and beasts, or inanimate objects. All these objects taken away ungiven
1. भूमट्टं थस ठं अकासठ्ठे वेहास उदक ठं नावट्ठ यानट्ठ भारट्ठ
आरामट्ठ विरहाट्ठ खेतट्ठ वत्थुट्ठ गामट्ठ अरञ्ञट्ठ उदकं दन्तेपाणं वनष्पतिहरणकं उपनिधि सुकघातं पाणो अपदंद्विपत चतुप्पद बहुप्पदं ओचरको ओणिरक्खो संविदावहारो संकेतथम्भं निमित्तकम्मंति ।
-Pārājika, p. 58.
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