Numbered Discourses 5.103

11. Living Comfortably

A Master Thief

“Bhikkhus, a master thief with five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery. What five? A master thief relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on powerful individuals; they pay bribes, and they act alone.

And how does a master thief rely on rough ground? It’s when a master thief relies on inaccessible riverlands or rugged mountains. That’s how a master thief relies on rough ground.

And how does a master thief rely on thick cover? It’s when a master thief relies on thick grass, thick trees, a blind spot, or a large dense wood. That’s how a master thief relies on thick cover.

And how does a master thief rely on powerful individuals? It’s when a master thief relies on rulers or their ministers. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a master thief relies on powerful individuals.

And how does a master thief pay bribes? It’s when a master thief is rich, affluent, and wealthy. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a master thief pays bribes.

And how does a master thief act alone? It’s when a master thief carries out robbery all alone. Why is that? So that their secret plans are not leaked to others. That’s how a master thief acts alone.

A master thief with these five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.

In the same way, when a bad bhikkhu has five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they make much bad karma. What five? A bad bhikkhu relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on powerful individuals; they pay bribes, and they act alone.

And how does a bad bhikkhu rely on rough ground? It’s when a bad bhikkhu has unethical conduct by way of body, speech, and mind. That’s how a bad bhikkhu relies on rough ground.

And how does a bad bhikkhu rely on thick cover? It’s when a bad bhikkhu has wrong view, he’s attached to an extremist view. That’s how a bad bhikkhu relies on thick cover.

And how does a bad bhikkhu rely on powerful individuals? It’s when a bad bhikkhu relies on rulers or their ministers. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a bad bhikkhu relies on powerful individuals.

And how does a bad bhikkhu pay bribes? It’s when a bad bhikkhu receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a bad bhikkhu pays bribes.

And how does a bad bhikkhu act alone? It’s when a bad bhikkhu dwells alone in the borderlands. They visit families there to get material possessions. That’s how a bad bhikkhu acts alone.

When a bad bhikkhu has these five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they make much bad karma.”