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[Vasa Vandeshak]
[205 15. A monk who calls the minor penance a major penance or approves of someone who does so.
16. A monk who calls the major penance a minor penance or approves of someone who does so.
17. A monk who gives the major penance for a minor penance or approves of someone who does so.
18. A monk who gives the minor penance for a major penance or approves of someone who does so. (He incurs the Guru Chaumasik penance.)
Discussion - The penance is mentioned for doing the opposite in two sutras and the penance is mentioned for giving less or more penance due to attachment-aversion or ignorance.
Giving more penance causes pain to the sadhu, he is compassionate and the critic does not criticize again due to fear.
Giving less penance does not lead to complete purification and there is a possibility of repeating the fault. Therefore, the authority giving penance should be careful not to give the opposite penance.
Penance for eating with a monk who is eligible for penance
19. A monk who, having heard or known that a monk is undergoing a minor penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
20. A monk who, having heard or known the reason for a minor penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
21. A monk who, having heard or known the resolve of a minor penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
22. A monk who, having heard or known that a monk is undergoing a major penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
23. A monk who, having heard or known the reason for a major penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
24. A monk who, having heard or known the resolve of a major penance, eats with him or approves of someone who does so.
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