If the Mind Does Not Transgress Boundaries, One Does Not Commit Theft

According to the bodhisattva precepts, as long as one's mind thinks of money, possessions, reputation, family members, and all other dharmas that do not belong to oneself as one's own, one has already violated the precept against stealing. For example, if one sets one's mind on another person's spouse or family members, that counts as stealing a person. If one thinks of secretly borrowing the light of others or using others' things, one has broken the precept. A person of pure mind not only refrains from overstepping bounds in conduct, but their thoughts are also pure and do not overstep bounds; they do not dwell on or long for things that do not belong to them. When the mind does not think of it, such behavior will not appear. Therefore, cultivating and guarding the mind is fundamental. If you have it, use it; if you do not, then either strive for it or let the desire rest—never covet what belongs to others. Have backbone and integrity; do not be a thief, always living by stealing. When desires are great but ability falls short, one can only resort to stealing. When a person is too poor and has nothing, they can only steal; the poorer they are, the more they steal, and the more they steal, the poorer they become. When will they ever escape poverty?

Only after receiving the precepts can one be said to break them; for those who have not received the precepts, it is not called breaking the precepts. Even so, all of this falls within the scope of being a proper human being. Regardless of whether one studies Buddhism or has received the precepts, one should not have the mind or conduct of stealing. A person should be an upright and honorable person. Spending all day chasing fame and profit, by the time the rushing and toiling ends, it is all emptiness in vain—one has merely created sinful karma and gained no personal benefit. Nothing can be taken away when one dies; only karma follows one along.