[1341] How do formal acts (kamma) fail with respect to the object (vatthu)?
An act that should be performed face to face, one performs not face to face: the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma (adhammakamma). An act that should be performed with interrogation, one performs without interrogation: the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. An act that should be performed with the acknowledgment [of the accused], one performs without acknowledgment: the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma.
To one deserving a verdict of mindfulness (sativinaya), one gives a verdict of past insanity (amūḷhavinaya): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving a verdict of past insanity, one performs an act of censure for aggravated misconduct (tassapāpiyasikākamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving an act of censure for aggravated misconduct, one performs an act of censure (tajjanīyakamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving an act of censure, one performs an act of demotion (niyassakamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving an act of demotion, one performs an act of banishment (pabbājanīyakamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving an act of banishment, one performs an act of reconciliation (paṭisāraṇīyakamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. For one deserving an act of reconciliation, one performs an act of suspension (ukkhepanīyakamma): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma.
To one deserving an act of suspension, one gives probation (parivāsa): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. One who deserves probation, one sends back to the beginning (mūlāya paṭikassanā): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. To one deserving to be sent back to the beginning, one gives penance (mānatta): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. One who deserves penance, one rehabilitates (abbhāna): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. One who deserves rehabilitation, one gives full ordination (upasampadā): the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma.
One performs the Uposatha on a day that is not an Uposatha day: the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma. One performs the Pavāraṇā on a day that is not a Pavāraṇā day: the act, failed as to its object, is an act not in accordance with the Dhamma.
Thus do formal acts fail with respect to the object.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.