法苑珠林 74.22

74.22

As the Saddharmasmṛtyupasthāna-sūtra says: If one sees lost property by the roadside—whether gold, silver, or other treasures—after taking it up, one should call out: ‘Whose property is this?’ If someone says, ‘This is my property,’ one must inquire into its distinguishing features; if the claim is true, one must return it. If no one claims it, one should carry it about for seven days, calling out day after day. If no owner claims it, one should deliver this treasure to the king, the great ministers, or the prefectural and county magistrates. If the king, the great ministers, or the prefectural and county magistrates are persons of merit and virtue who do not take this property for themselves, it should later be used to protect and maintain the Buddha-dharma and the Saṃgha. This is termed not stealing.