Threefold Purification of the Precepts (Sīla) #2: Not Stealing (Protecting What Belongs to Others) — Veḷudvāreyya Sutta (SN 55.7)

3. Adinnādāna — Abstaining from Taking What Is Not Given

3.1 Puna caparaṃ, gahapatayo, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati:

Furthermore, householders, the noble disciple reflects in this way:

• The noble disciple continues the same practice of wise reflection (paṭisañcikkhati), now applying it to taking what has not been given.

3.2 Yo kho me adinnaṃ theyyasaṅkhātaṃ ādiyeyya, na metaṃ assa piyaṃ manāpaṃ.

If someone were to take from me what has not been given, what is regarded as theft, that would not be pleasing or agreeable to me.

• The disciple begins with his own experience. He recognizes that having something taken without permission is unpleasant.

3.3 Ahañceva kho pana parassa adinnaṃ theyyasaṅkhātaṃ ādiyeyyaṃ, parassapi taṃ assa appiyaṃ amanāpaṃ.

And if I were to take from another what has not been given, what is regarded as theft, that would likewise be unpleasant and disagreeable to that person.

• He then applies the same reflection to another person: just as I dislike having my property taken, another person dislikes having theirs taken.

3.4 Yo kho myāyaṃ dhammo appiyo amanāpo, parassa peso dhammo appiyo amanāpo.

Whatever is unpleasant and disagreeable to me is likewise unpleasant and disagreeable to another.

• This expresses the principle of ethical reciprocity: what I do not want done to me, I should recognize that another person does not want done to them either.

3.5 Yo kho myāyaṃ dhammo appiyo amanāpo, kathāhaṃ paraṃ tena saṃyojeyyan’ti.

Whatever is unpleasant and disagreeable to me, how could I inflict that same thing upon another?

• The reflection now becomes a direct ethical question: if I would dislike this happening to me, how could I do it to someone else?

3.6 So iti paṭisaṅkhāya attanā ca adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, parañca adinnādānā veramaṇiyā samādapeti, adinnādānā veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṃ bhāsati.

Having reflected in this way, he himself abstains from taking what has not been given, encourages others to abstain from taking what has not been given, and speaks in praise of abstaining from taking what has not been given.

• The reflection leads to three forms of ethical conduct:

1. Personal restraint — he/she does not take what is not given.
2. Encouraging others — he/she encourages others to refrain from stealing.
3. Praising the virtue — he/she speaks in praise of abstaining from taking what is not given.

Thus, the practice goes beyond merely not stealing; it involves supporting and appreciating the ethical principle.

3.7 Evamassāyaṃ kāyasamācāro tikoṭiparisuddho hoti.

In this way, his bodily conduct becomes purified in three respects.

• His bodily conduct is threefold pure (tikoṭiparisuddho). The ethical training is comprehensive: he personally avoids taking what is not given, does not encourage such conduct in others, and praises the practice of respecting what belongs to others.

Further Notes

1. I personally abstain from stealing

• Do not take someone's physical property — never take money, belongings, food, or other possessions without permission.

• Respect intellectual property — do not copy books, articles, software, photographs, or creative work and present them as your own. 

• Do not pirate digital content — avoid illegally downloading movies, music, courses, software, or paid materials.

• Be honest with money — do not manipulate expenses, receipts, refunds, taxes, or financial records for personal gain.

• Respect workplace resources — do not take office supplies, use company money for personal purposes, or misuse organizational resources.

• Do not steal people's time or opportunities — do not deliberately take credit for someone's work, ideas, recognition, or opportunity.

2. I encourage others to abstain from stealing

• Teach children to ask before taking — encourage them to respect other people's belongings from an early age.

• Discourage piracy — explain to friends and students why downloading someone's work without paying is a form of taking.

• Encourage academic honesty — teach students not to plagiarize, cheat, or submit another person's work as their own.

• Promote honesty in the workplace — encourage colleagues to handle company money and resources responsibly.

• Speak up when appropriate — gently discourage friends or colleagues when they justify dishonest practices.

• Lead by example — demonstrate that it is possible to be successful without taking advantage of others.

3. I praise and promote the value of non-stealing

• Praise honest people publicly — recognize employees, students, children, or friends who demonstrate exceptional honesty.

• Share stories of integrity — tell inspiring stories about people who chose honesty even when dishonesty would have benefited them.

• Promote ethical business practices — support and recommend businesses that treat customers, employees, and creators fairly.

• Teach the value of intellectual honesty — promote proper citation, attribution, copyright respect, and acknowledgement of others' contributions.

• Create an atmosphere where honesty is respected — make it clear that integrity is more admirable than gaining wealth through deception.

• Use social media to promote integrity — share messages, examples, and discussions showing why respecting others' property, work, money, and opportunities makes society better.