Friends:

Neither Stealing nor Cheating, Taking only what is Given!

Once in Savatthi, the Blessed Buddha said this:

What, householder friends, is the Dhamma explanation befitting to oneself? Here, householder friends, a Noble Disciple reflects thus: If someone were to take from me what I have not given, that is, to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing nor agreeable to me.

If I were to take from whatever kind of another being what he has not freely given, that is also to commit theft, to steal, that would neither be pleasing nor agreeable to that other being either.... What is displeasing and disagreeable to me, is also displeasing and disagreeable to any other being too. How can I inflict upon another being what is displeasing and disagreeable to myself? Having reflected repeatedly thus, then gradually:

1: He/she will carefully avoid all taking what is not given...
2: He/she will persuade others also to abstain from all stealing and theft...
3: He/she will speak praising taking only what is freely and righteously given...

In exactly this way is this good bodily behaviour purified in three respects!!!

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya. [V:354] section 55: Sotāpattisamyutta. Thread 7: To the people at the Bamboo gate...

DO NOT MAKE OTHERS SUFFER BY STEALING WHAT THEY CLING TO!

The one who destroys life;
The one who speaks false;
The one who takes what is not given;
The one who mates with the partner of another;
The one who is addicted to drinking and drugging;
Such one - even in this world - digs up his own root!!!  (Dhammapada 246-47)

The one who never takes what is not freely given,
whether long or short, fine or foul, exquisite
or repulsive, such one is a Holy One. (Dhammapada 409)

More on Not Stealing:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/5-times-5.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Buddha_on_Kamma.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Five_Basics.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kamma_and_Fruit.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Livelihood.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Ways_to_the_Barbeque.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Threefold_Right_Action.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Inevitable_Consequences.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Optimal_Observance_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Effect_of_Action_(kamma)_is_Dela...
 

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