Inside a lodging: if the lodging is enclosed, then within the enclosure. If the lodging is unenclosed, then in the vicinity. Picks up: if he takes hold of it himself, he commits an offense entailing confession. Has picked up: if he gets someone else to take hold of it, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he picks up something precious or something regarded as precious, or he has it picked up, within a monastery or inside a lodging, he should put it aside: after taking note of its appearance or distinguishing marks, he should put it aside, and then make an announcement: “Whoever has lost anything should come.” If anyone comes, they should be told, “Please describe it.” If they rightly describe its appearance or distinguishing marks, it should be given to them. If they do not, they should be told, “Keep looking.” If that monk is leaving that monastery, he should first place that item into the hands of suitable monks there. If there are no suitable monks, he should place it into the hands of suitable householders there. This is the proper procedure: this is the right method.

Non-offenses There is no offense: if he picks up something precious or something regarded as precious, or he has it picked up, within a monastery or inside a lodging, and then puts it aside with the thought, “Whoever owns it will come and get it;” if he takes something regarded as precious on trust or he borrows it or he perceives it as discarded; if he is insane; if he is the first offender. The training rule on picking up precious things, the second, is finished.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Analysis The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on precious things Entering an inhabited area at the wrong time

Origin story First substory