四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.84

2.84

Fourth: The owner of property given to a bhikṣu by a thief. The Daśādhyāya-vinaya states: A thief stole property and brought it, and gave it either with good intention, or out of terror because of being pursued by others; one may take this property; one must not beg for it from the thief, but if he gives it of his own accord, one may take it. Having taken it, one should dye it to spoil the color and wear it; if there is an owner who recognizes it, if he demands it, return it to him. If one purchases a robe from a thief-bhikṣu, when the original owner sees the robe, he must not directly seize it back, but should repay the original price. Today, if someone steals property of the Three Jewels or gold, silver, scriptures, and images, and destroys them to make vessels or ingots and gives them to a bhikṣu, according to the above passage, he should be permitted to receive them. According to the correct principle, since they have already been used by the Buddha, one may only take them and apply them according to their original purpose.