Do not steal. 

This second of the Five Basic Precepts and the Ten Virtuous Karmas is often regarded as not taking another’s property. We might well wonder at the prominent placement of this precept.

How many of us would steal others’ possessions?

But we’re not just talking about things here. Buddhism regards stealing as taking anything without permission. What is taken can include someone’s time, their peace of mind, their feeling of security, happiness. Stealing is taking advantage of another person, taking things from work, shouting at a child, avoiding paying taxes, bringing home a shell from a public beach, not letting someone in line while driving, not completing work on time and making others have to work harder to meet a deadline.

The list is endless.

The solution simple.

Not easy! Simple.

Approach all actions with respect and humility, and every being as a future Buddha.