The Sin of Stealing Food Currently Being Consumed by Monks and Falling into the Avīci Hell

Original text from the Sutra of Recollection on the True Dharma: Why do some take delight in theft and frequently engage in it? Why do those who delight in and frequently commit theft fall into hell? This person of evil precepts, inherently prone to theft, draws near to evil companions. If those who dwell near evil companions follow them closely, they will commit theft.

There are lower, middle, and upper grades. What constitutes the lower grade? It refers to transgressions against royal laws, etc., as previously explained. What constitutes the middle grade? Stealing from non-meritorious fields (non-Three Jewels, non-parents) constitutes middle-grade theft. What constitutes the upper grade? Even a trifling theft of the property of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha constitutes upper-grade theft.

Explanation: Why do some people greatly enjoy stealing and frequently do so? Why do they fall into hell after enjoying and frequently committing theft? Because this person with severely deficient precepts, this evildoer, has a nature inherently accustomed to theft. Moreover, they constantly associate with evil companions, becoming tainted by their influence and acquiring bad habits. If someone dwells near evil companions and follows them closely, that person will engage in thievery.

The sin of theft is divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. What constitutes a lower-grade theft sin? Violating royal laws, etc., is a lower-grade theft sin, as mentioned earlier. What constitutes a middle-grade theft sin? Stealing from non-meritorious fields (i.e., places not related to the Three Jewels or parents) constitutes a middle-grade theft sin. What constitutes an upper-grade theft sin? Even a very minor theft of the property of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha constitutes an upper-grade theft sin.

Here, it is explained that the most severe theft is stealing the property of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; among theft karmas, this is the heaviest. Theft means taking what belongs to the Three Jewels without the owner's consent, appropriating it as one's own, and using it arbitrarily. Even for something extremely minor, the karmic retribution is extremely severe—such as tissues, towels, and the like. If one steals items more valuable than these, the retribution is even heavier. If one has committed such an act, one should find a way to make amends to lessen the karmic hindrance. Those who frequently visit monasteries should introspect carefully to see if they have committed any theft, including even the smallest gains. If any is found, they should repent of the sin promptly and compensate for the loss as much as possible.

Offering to the Three Jewels yields immeasurable merit, but stealing and misappropriating the property of the Three Jewels incurs immeasurable sin and immeasurable debt. The Three Jewels are the greatest field of merit in the world; one gains the greatest merit and also incurs the greatest sin. The Earth Treasure Sutra states that even taking a single blade of grass from a monastery incurs sin, let alone items more valuable than a blade of grass—including water, electricity, gas, food, tea, and various utensils. Misappropriation also falls within the scope of theft. This encompasses not only food and items but also various rights and responsibilities belonging to the Three Jewels. Rights and duties that rightfully belong to the Three Jewels, if others presumptuously take charge on behalf of the Three Jewels, mobilizing and allocating people, finances, or property belonging to the Three Jewels, oppressing the Three Jewels—this sin is even greater. Appropriating and seizing the merits, status, and reputation of the Three Jewels also constitutes theft, and this sin is likely even greater.

If we can strictly uphold these precepts without violation, the mind will naturally become pure. We will no longer think about gaining anything or taking advantage, and by restraining the mind, samadhi will naturally arise. If a person's mind cannot settle, it is certainly because there are unresolved matters. If one relinquishes all such matters and ceases to dwell on them, why worry about not attaining samadhi? Cultivate the habit of never taking advantage of any individual or group. With this good habit, one will incur far less debt and lose far less merit. The place where one gains advantage is precisely the place where one loses advantage. In this world, there is truly no advantage to be gained, because karma exists. Every bit of advantage taken is recorded in each being's Alaya consciousness. When conditions ripen, it must be repaid a thousandfold, ten thousandfold, immeasurably—the later the repayment, the higher the karmic interest, and the more one must repay.

Original text: Regarding the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha: If one steals the property of the Sangha, the Dharma can purify it. If one steals the property of the Buddha and Dharma, the Sangha cannot purify it. If one steals the food and items currently consumed by the assembly of monks, one falls into the great hell with the head facing downward. If one takes the daily food belonging to the Sangha, one falls into the uninterrupted Avici hell, vast, wide, and dark. Due to the gravity of the meritorious field, even a trifling theft, if done with intent, delight, and frequency, causes that minor theft to result in falling into the hells, animal realm, or hungry ghost realm. If, after stealing, one repents, does not rejoice in the act, and feels remorse, one may not necessarily undergo the fixed retribution. If a thief uses countless expedient means to commit theft, for this reason, it is called theft.

Explanation: Among thefts of the property of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, if one steals the property of the Sangha, the Dharma can purify it. If one steals the property of the Buddha and Dharma, the Sangha cannot purify it. If one steals the food and items currently consumed by the assembly of monks, one falls into the great hell with the head facing downward. If one steals the daily food belonging to the Sangha, one falls into the uninterrupted Avici hell—a hell realm extremely vast, wide, and dark, where the body matches the size of the hell, and instruments of torture cover the physical form. Because the Sangha is a field of great merit, even a trifling theft constitutes the sin of the Avici hell. Because there is the mental intent to steal, delight in committing theft, and frequent commission of the act, stealing even a minor item can lead to falling into the hells, animal realm, or hungry ghost realm.

If, after stealing, one confesses openly, others may not necessarily feel rejoicing. If, after stealing, one feels regret, others may not necessarily accept it. If a thief uses countless expedient methods to commit theft, for this reason, it is called theft.