Offense of Harming Sentient Beings and Offense of Human Trafficking

Section Two of the Sutra on the Five Precepts for Lay Disciples (Upāsaka-śīla Sūtra):

"Stealing footless beings: For example, leeches, earthworms, etc. If a person catches them and places them in a container, and a layperson takes them from the container, he commits an unforgivable offense. Selection is as described above. Stealing two-legged or three-legged beings: Such as humans, geese, swans, parrots, birds, etc. If these birds are in cages and one takes them with a thieving intent, he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is as stated above."

Explanation: Stealing footless beings, such as leeches or earthworms: If someone catches them and places them in a container, and a layperson takes them from the container, he commits an unforgivable offense. Regarding selecting footless beings from a container, it is the same as above: If one selects them but does not take them away, it is a redeemable offense; if he takes them away, it is an unforgivable offense. Stealing two-legged or three-legged beings, such as humans, geese, swans, parrots, etc., results in an unforgivable offense. If these birds are in cages and one takes them away with a thieving intent, he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is the same as previously stated.

"Stealing a human has two types: First, carrying away. Second, coercing to go together. If a layperson, with a thieving intent, carries a person on his shoulder so that both feet of the person leave the ground, he commits an unforgivable offense. If he coerces the person to go together and they pass two double-steps (paces), he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is as stated above."

Explanation: Stealing a human has two situations: First is carrying on the shoulder, second is coercing them to go together. If one carries a person on the shoulder so that both feet leave the ground, he commits an unforgivable offense. If one coerces the person to go together and they exceed two paces, he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is the same as above.

"Stealing four-legged beings: Elephants, horses, cows, sheep, etc. If they are tied with a rope in one place and one, with a thieving intent, leads them away for more than four double-steps (of the animal), he commits an unforgivable offense. If they are lying down in one place and one, with a thieving intent, drives them up and they move more than four double-steps, he commits an unforgivable offense. The same applies to beings with more than four legs."

Explanation: Stealing four-legged beings, such as elephants, horses, cows, sheep, etc.: If the owner ties them with a rope in one place, and a layperson, with a thieving intent, leads them away for a distance of more than four double-steps (measured by the animal's stride), he commits an unforgivable offense. If the four-legged being is lying down in one place, and the layperson, with a thieving intent, drives it up and it moves more than four double-steps, he commits an unforgivable offense. The same applies to beings with more than four legs.

"If they are within walls, fences, or enclosures, and one, with a thieving intent, drives them out beyond the herd for more than four double-steps, he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is as stated above. If they are grazing outside, and a layperson, with a thieving intent, thinks: 'When the herder enters the woods, I will steal them.' At the moment this thought arises, he commits a moderately redeemable offense. If he kills them, it is the same as the offense of killing. If after killing, he takes meat worth five māṣa (a small unit of weight/currency), he commits an unforgivable offense of theft."

Explanation: If four-legged beings are within walls, fences, or enclosures, and a layperson, with a thieving intent, drives them out beyond the herd for more than four double-steps, he commits an unforgivable offense. The rest is the same as stated above. If the four-legged beings are grazing in the wild, and a layperson, with a thieving intent, thinks: "When the herder enters the woods, I will steal them." At the moment this thought arises, he commits a moderately redeemable offense. If he kills these beings, it is naturally the same as the offense of killing. If after killing, he obtains meat worth five māṣa, he commits an unforgivable offense of theft.