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[Essential Sutras]
The duration of a pratima (vow) is one night for the least severe and ten months for the most severe.
11. Shramanabhootpratima - The holder of this pratima is not a Shraman (ascetic) but is like a Shraman. He wanders around wearing the attire of a Sadhu (holy man) and carrying the utensils suitable for a Sadhu. If he has the strength, he performs Keshalunchana (shaving of the head and beard), otherwise he gets his head shaved with a razor. The duration of this pratima is one day and night for the least severe and eleven months for the most severe.
The common meaning of Upasak is Shravak (lay follower) and the meaning of Pratima is Pratijna-Abhiggraha (vow-acceptance). The pratima of an Upasak is called Upasakpratima.
It should be noted here that there is some difference of opinion regarding the duration of Shravak's pratima. Some Acharyas (teachers) consider their duration to be one, two, three, up to eleven months. They do not consider one, two, three days, etc. as the least severe duration.
Twelve Bhikshu Pratima -
It is an offense to not practice the twelve Bhikshu Pratima as much as possible, to not have faith in them, and to misrepresent them.
1. The first pratima-holder Bhikshu is allowed to take one datti (portion) of food and one datti of water. The flow of food and water given by the donor in the Sadhu's bowl is considered one datti as long as it remains unbroken. When the flow is broken, the datti ends. One should take food from where it is prepared for one person, but not from where it is prepared for two, three, or more people. This first pratima is for one month.
2. to 7. The second to seventh pratima are each for one month. In these, one datti increases progressively. Two datti of food and two datti of water are taken in the second pratima. Similarly, in the third, fourth, up to the seventh pratima, three, four, five, six, and seven datti of food and the same amount of water are taken respectively.
8. The eighth pratima is for seven days and nights. In this, one should practice Chavivihar (four types of conduct) with alternate fasting. One should meditate outside the village in Uttanasana (lying on the back), Pasin (lying on one side), and Nisadyasana (sitting with legs straight). If any upsarga (obstacle) arises, one should bear it with a calm mind.
9. This pratima is also for seven days and nights. In this, one should practice Chavivihar with Shashthabhakta Tap (fasting with six portions). One should meditate in a secluded place outside the village in Dandasana, Lagandasana, or Utkatukasana.
10. This is also for seven days and nights. In this, one should practice Chavivihar with Tele-Tele Parana (fasting with oil). Outside the village...