Is the Explanation of yathārūpeṇādinnādānena in the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya a Later Insertion?

Abstract

The expression yathārūpeṇādinnādānena, which is translated “隨盜物” in Chinese, appears in the second pārājika offence of the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya (摩訶僧祇律). The meaning of yathārūpeṇādinnādānena is “in such a manner of stealing.”

In the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya, this is explained with eight types of stolen things, such as medicines taken during normal times (時薬), or medicines for seven-day treatment (七日薬) and so on. Although similar expressions are found in other vinayas, this explanation of yathārūpeṇādinnādānena is absent. In this article, I examine whether the term “yathārūpeṇādinnādānena” is a new addition or not.