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sometimes theory and sometimes practice. Other contradictions cannot be easily resolved.
We have already seen several times that the prāyaścitta actually prescribed . depends on the capacities of the penitent. Consequently, the weakest monks are excused the more rigorous atonements.
The only ones who are required to atone for their offence in full are the nirapekkhas, who, slace they have no concern for the company, devote all thelr efforts to their own spiritual progress (Bh 1, 422 f, = Nis Bh 655; 6 657). These are the religious, it will be recalled, who imitate the Jina, those who impose upon themselves the rule ahalanda, and those who observe the atonement called parihara. For the sāvekkha, no provision is made for an atonement more severe than the eighth (mula), no matter how capable they are of fasting successfully (kayakarana). And this complete reduction in rank itself is inflicted only on the most qualified religious, the ayariya kayakarana. As for the others, their sentence is reduced in accordance with their lesser capacities.
A theoretical system of equivalents, in which the atonements are exactly proportional to monastic status, has thus been established: It is reproduced in the table below:
