3.2 To abstain from stealing (Adinnādānā Veramanī)
Meaning
We have the right to own things and give them away as we wish. However, we should not take things that do not belong to us by stealing or cheating. Instead, we should learn to give to help others, and always take good care of the things that we use, whether they belong to us or to the public. In a broader sense, this precept means being responsible. If we are lazy and neglect our studies or work, we are said to be ‘stealing time’.
This precept also encourages us to be generous. Buddhists give to the poor and the sick and make offerings to monks and nuns to practise being good. Buddhists are usually generous to their parents, teachers and friends to show gratitude for their advice, guidance and kindness. Buddhists also offer sympathy and encouragement to those who feel hurt or discouraged. Helping people by telling them about the Dhamma is considered to be the highest form of giving.
Five conditions of stealing (Adinnādāna)
1. The property must be in the possession of another person.
2. There must be the knowledge that the property is in the possession of another person.
3. There must be an intention to steal.
4. There must be an act done to steal.
5. By that act the property must have been taken.
If all the said five conditions are fulfilled, the second precept is violated.
Reading comprehension on The Moon is Looking at You
Once there was a very poor family. They often went to their neighbor’s garden to steal some vegetables.
One night, the father took along his little son into their neighbor’s garden to steal some carrots. While the father was pulling out some carrots, his little boy stood beside him. Suddenly, his son whispered, “Daddy, someone is looking at us.”
The father became afraid. He quickly looked around but he could not see anyone. “Where? Who?” he asked.
The son pointed at the sky, “There, Daddy. It’s the moon. The moon is looking at us.”
The father was shocked by what his son said. He thought that nobody could see what he was doing at night. His son’s words made him feel ashamed.
He threw the carrots down and took his son by the hand. They both walked back home in the moonlight. After that he never stole anything again.
If we steal, people will know.