The Retribution for Stealing Temple Property: Falling into the Avīci Hell

All things in heaven and earth are obtained through theft, for ownership does not belong to the individual five aggregates. Their true owner is the Tathagatagarbha—the master of all heaven and earth. Therefore, any grasping by the five aggregates constitutes karmic actions of birth and death, entailing corresponding karmic retribution. While the weight and nature (wholesome or unwholesome) of these actions may differ, regardless of their nature, as long as they are conditioned phenomena (saṃskṛta), they inevitably lead to the suffering of birth and death. Not a single thing in heaven and earth belongs to the five aggregates, including the physical body and the conscious mind—all belong to the Tathagatagarbha, this precious Buddha-jewel. Thus, grasping at any phenomenon in the world constitutes stealing the property of the Three Jewels. Only after completely and thoroughly severing the view of self can one avoid violating the precept against stealing. Only when one refrains from violating any precept against stealing can one attain Buddhahood.

As practitioners, not only must we not steal the property of the Three Jewels belonging to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, nor steal the belongings of all sages and holy beings, nor steal from humans and devas, but we must also not steal from non-humans, asuras, spirits, ghosts, or animals. We must not infringe upon or seize any being's ownership, right to use, or right of possession over any thing. The general principle is this: as long as something does not belong to oneself, one must never covet it, possess it, or cling to it. The scope of what is referred to as "things" here is extremely broad, encompassing all phenomena (dharmas), including material phenomena (rūpa-dharma), mental phenomena (citta-dharma), and phenomena that are neither material nor mental (naiva-rūpī-naiva-cittī-dharma), as well as phenomena with form and without form, with characteristics and without characteristics. Once one grasps this general principle, all precepts against stealing can be upheld without the slightest violation. What level of realization is this? It is the state of a great sage, the supreme sage, who has exhausted all ignorance and afflictions. Who else but the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas could be such sages?

From the Sutra of the Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: If there are beings who steal or misappropriate the permanent assets of the monastic community, such as grain, rice, food, drink, clothing, or even a single item taken without permission, they shall fall into the Avici Hell. For countless kalpas, they will seek escape but find no end.

How many have violated this precept from the Ksitigarbha Sutra? How many lay devotees, under the guise of building temples, have embezzled funds amounting to millions? How many times should such people fall into the Avici Hell? Those who steal the property of the Three Jewels should repent daily, repenting as much as possible to avoid falling into the Avici Hell and suffering immeasurably. "Taking without permission" (adattādāna) is theft. Using or taking items belonging to a monastery or monastics without the permission of the abbot or person in charge constitutes stealing the property of the Three Jewels. Unauthorized use or disposal of items offered to the Buddha also constitutes stealing the property of the Three Jewels. Beyond physical items, this includes money, personnel matters, power, nominal rights, etc. — any unauthorized use, disposal, or control without the permission of the abbot or person in charge constitutes stealing the property of the Three Jewels.

If one goes to a monastery and drinks tea without notifying the abbot or person in charge, does that count as stealing? Going to a monastery and helping oneself freely as if it were one's own home is not permissible. The property of the monastery belongs to the Sangha of the ten directions (Sangha property). Drinking tea without the owner's permission constitutes theft by taking without permission (adattādāna). Even tea meant for guests is not for anyone to drink anytime, anywhere. Everywhere has its rules; acting contrary to the rules constitutes breaking the precepts. If the host has not offered tea and one proactively brews and drinks it, it counts as stealing. Moreover, brewing tea involves using water, electricity, and of course, tea leaves—all are Sangha property. If the person responsible for hospitality did not give permission, brewing and drinking the tea oneself constitutes theft.

If a monastery does not set up a donation box and offers free vegetarian meals, is that good? Even though free meals cost nothing, consuming them still incurs a debt. A debt owed to an ordinary person must be repaid a thousandfold. A debt owed to a practitioner must be repaid millions, billions, or even immeasurable times over. A debt owed to the Three Jewels must be repaid countless times over.