It may be that a monk has committed two offenses entailing suspension, both concealed for two months. He’s sure of having concealed for one month, but unsure of the other. He asks the Sangha for probation for two months for both offenses, which he gets. While he’s on probation, another monk arrives. He’s learned, a master of the tradition; he’s an expert on the Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Key Terms; he’s knowledgeable and competent, has a sense of conscience, and is afraid of wrongdoing and fond of the training. He says, ‘What has this monk committed? Why is he on probation?’ They tell him everything, and he says, ‘The giving of probation for the month he’s sure of having concealed is legitimate, legal, and has effect. The giving of probation for the month he’s unsure of having concealed is illegitimate, illegal, and has no effect. For one month he only deserves the trial period.’”

The purifying probation