Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 80

Code of Conduct : (77) Vow of Non-Stealing (Acaurya):
This vow enjoins abstention from taking anything, which is not given willingly. It also forbids picking up of things dropped or forgotten and also things from excavations by anyone. Undervaluing of other's goods and overvaluing of one's goods is also a category of theft and is violation of the vow. Ignorant and illiterates, if coerced to give their goods cheaper, is also transgression of this vow. Under weighing or over weighing, keeping false weights and measures are also considered theft. Any sort of cheating, non-compliance of government regulations, tax evasion gambling etc are also sinful transgressions and not permitted under this vow.
The injunctions and transgressions referred in the scriptures are in respect of transactions between humans. However, there are transactions between human beings and other living beings. Humans take fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves, wood, gums, resins, oils, medicines etc from trees and several minerals from earth which are one-sense life forms. There is lot of give and take from several animals viz. milk from cattle, transport, tilling and other works from horses, camel etc., wool from sheep and goat. As a matter of principle the vow of non-stealing should also cover the transactions with other life forms. If things and products are taken from other life forms forcibly against their will, it is also theft and therefore violation of the vow. It is not that these life forms do not give their products willingly. Trees willingly drop their fruits, flowers, leaves, dry wood etc which can be utilised symbiotically. By picking dropped fruits, eating them and dispersing the seeds humans and animals also help the trees in dispersal of their seeds which is essential for their regeneration. Likewise several minerals are thrown out by volcanic activity and can be utilised by humans. Peacocks regularly shed their feathers willingly and naturally and these are utilised even by saints for their brooms (Picchis) and there is no violation of the vow.
There is very interesting reference in scriptures in respect of transactions with trees though somewhat indirect. The dark (bad) and