Theft encompasses all things in the mundane world that do not belong to oneself. Any material objects, information, or resources that are not one's own, if taken privately, constitute theft. Desiring to possess what is not one's own without the owner's consent is also considered theft. Theft can be categorized into two types: knowing theft and unknowing theft. The former carries heavier karmic consequences, while the latter is lighter.
Someone asked whether shearing wool counts as theft. Shearing one's own sheep does not constitute theft because it benefits the sheep, and the sheep are willing to be sheared. However, shearing someone else's sheep is theft. What about collecting wool from wild sheep? The wool belongs to the sheep themselves. In this case, it depends on whether the sheep enjoy being sheared. If shearing provides physical comfort and the sheep do not resist, it is not theft. If the sheep avoid being sheared but are forcibly sheared, then it is theft of the sheep's wool.
This differs from taking honey. Bees, whether kept by humans or not, protect their honey and do not wish for anyone to take it. They also dislike humans exchanging it with sugar. Therefore, whoever takes honey commits theft. Once a honey seller steals the honey and claims it as personal property, the buyer who purchases it does not commit theft but incurs a debt to the bees, which must be repaid with high multiple interest in the future. Those who kill animals and sell their meat commit not only the offense of killing but also theft. Buyers of the meat, while not guilty of theft, incur a debt to the animals, which must be repaid with substantial interest in the future. Wearing fur coats or leather shoes makes one an accomplice in killing sentient beings and also incurs a debt to the animals, requiring repayment with multiple interest in the future.
Commercially sold eggs nowadays generally contain no life and cannot hatch into chicks. Therefore, eating them does not constitute killing, but it does incur a debt to the hen that must be repaid. However, the more eggs consumed, the more the chicken farmers tend to abuse the hens, causing them greater suffering. The more humans exploit the hens, the greater the debt incurred to them. If people eat fewer or no eggs, the hens will lay eggs naturally without being abused.
2
+1