A probation is a remedial act imposed on a monk for having committed a saṅgha remnant. A “penance” (Tib. spo ba; Skt. parivāsa) is imposed, in addition to the probation, if the offense is concealed. The offending monk must ask the saṅgha to give him a penance and/or probation, during which the monk loses five privileges and must perform five menial chores. After completing the penance and/or probation, the saṅgha may rescind the punishment, lit. give a “recission” (Tib. dbyungs ba; Skt. āvarhaṇa), thus restoring the monk’s privileges.

Though classed as one of the five disciplinary acts imposed on a monk, it is the act used to restore full status to a monk upon his satisfactory completion of a disciplinary act like probation.

The process by which the saṅgha restores a monk’s status. Following the completion of a probation (a remedial act imposed on a monk for having committed a saṅgha remnant) and/or a penance (imposed in addition to the probation if the offense was concealed), the saṅgha may rescind the punishment, lit. “give a rescission,” thus restoring the monk’s privileges.