[jokiruss]

but as we can see from the Vinaya, it is not the case that a violation of the first precept and another violation of the first precept are to be necessarily considered equivalent.

sure

because the karmic fruit is of differing degree or quantity (but still equivalent in quality)

it is like a grain of salt vs a container of salt

whether a grain or container, the quality of the salt remains salty

to kill a mosquito is a trifling karmic act (due to the psychological basis of the lawfulness of karma)

but killing a mosquito is still an act inhibiting one's highest spiritual potential

in killing a mosquito remains fear, aversion and a lack of compassion

regards