Crime of Destruction of Property by Sorcery

The Original Text of Section Two of the Sutra on the Five Precepts for Male Lay Devotees: A lay devotee cultivated radishes. Another man came to the garden and said to the lay devotee, "Give me some radishes." The lay devotee asked him, "Do you have money to pay? Or are you asking for them outright?" The man replied, "I have no money." The lay devotee said, "If you want radishes, you should bring money. If I simply give them to you, how will I sustain my daily meals?" The visitor said, "Are you truly not going to give them to me?" The host replied, "How could I give them to you?" The visitor then used an incantation to cause the vegetables to wither. Upon returning, he became doubtful, thinking, "Could I have committed an unpardonable offense?" He went to seek clarification from the Tathagata. The Buddha said, "Determine the offense based on the value of the damage you caused, whether it is pardonable or unpardonable. Stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits are all considered to have the same value as the roots."

Explanation: A lay devotee cultivated radishes. Another man came to the radish garden and said to the lay devotee, "Give me some radishes." The lay devotee asked him, "Are you paying? Or are you just asking outright?" The man replied, "I have no money." The lay devotee said, "If you want radishes, you should bring money. If I simply give them to you for free, how will I manage to feed myself day and night?" The man said, "Are you definitely not giving them to me?" The lay devotee replied, "How could I give them to you?" The man then used an incantation to cause the vegetables to dry up. After returning, he became doubtful, thinking, "Did I commit an unpardonable offense?" He then went to the Buddha to seek a clear ruling. The Buddha said, "Based on the value of the vegetables you destroyed, determine whether the offense you committed is pardonable or unpardonable. Stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits are all considered to have the same value as the roots."