BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Buddhist Monastic Code 1Similarly with credit cards: The offense is committed when the bhikkhu hands thesigned credit card receipt — or has it handed — to the seller and receives goods orservices in return. The receipt is an acknowledgement of the goods or servicesreceived from the seller, which in the context of the cardholder's agreement with thecredit card company is his promise to repay the loan he is taking out with thecompany. This promise is what the bhikkhu is trading with the seller, who will thenuse it to draw funds from the company's account.If, however, no physical item is handed over to the seller, the trade is notaccomplished until funds enter the seller's account. An example would be a debitcard: The full offense is committed only when, after pushing the personalidentification number (PIN) — which is his order to the bank to pay the seller — thebhikkhu receives goods and services from the seller, and funds are transferred tothe seller's account from his.Summary: Engaging in trade with anyone except one's co-religionists is anissaggiya pācittiya offense.204