02 The Rule about Theft

Dhaniya builds a clay hut after his grass huts are destroyed, but the Buddha orders it demolished to avoid harming living beings during firing. Dhaniya then tricks an accountant into giving him royal emergency timber by misinterpreting King Bimbisāra’s general decree on forest resources. Upon discovery, Bimbisāra spares Dhaniya due to his monastic status. Prompted by public outrage, the Buddha consults a former judge regarding theft thresholds and establishes the second parājika rule prohibiting theft.