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Expert: - 9/14/2008


Question
I am doing my best to stay on the path and I do not take anything that is not given, however, my friend claims she has no money and so she steals. For my birthday, she gave me an expensive gift, with the price tag on, after telling me she has no money and when I asked for a receipt (because it obviously would not fit) she said, no receipt, just take it back to the store.  How does a Buddhist handle this as a lay person? I do not feel comfotable retuning somnething I believe was stolen, yet she claims she bought it, but I feel that is not true.
Thank you for your answer.

Answer
Hi Carol,

Very easy to solve your "problem".

If you have every reason to believe that it was stolen and do not wish to be a party to it, insist that your friend proves her innocence. Otherwise say sorry that you cannot accept her gift.  You can always ask her to take you to the shop that she "bought" the gift.  That will solve all suspicion.  If she could prove that the gift was bought, then you can apologise and also thank her.  

Justin Choo :-)

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And this blog by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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