History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

Page 449

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S. B. DEO • The explanation given of these officers in the commentary299 is as follows: Sūri
śāraņavāraṇakāri', Pravartin
'pravartakah, Upādhyāya
'pāthakah', Gaņin
'ganarakşako rājasabhādividitah', Sthavira
'maryādākārakah', Rātnika
.. 'ratnatrayādhikah'. These explanations fail to explain clearly either the duties or the qualifications of these officers. It is however, possible that the ācārya, sūri, ganin and the ganadhara300 were one and the same person.
The qualities expected of an ācārya were that he was to be an 'ācārin' (of good conduct), 'adhārin' (knower of the Pūrvas and of the Kalpa and Vyavahāra), 'paricārin' (able to guide the monk who makes a long fast), 'äyāpāyādik' (able to tell the faults and merits of a particular case), 'utpīdaka' (exposing the purposely hidden transgressions of the disciples), 'nirvāpaka (able to carry out the requirements of his followers), and 'vyavahārapatu' (knowing the process of meeting with the transgressor).301 Besides this he was a monk knowing well the twelvefold tapas, six āvaśyakas, eightfold ācāra and possessing tenfold excellences. In short, he was to be endowed with not less than thirty-six qualities.
acar
? tran Tits of make the
Church Units :
We get but a scanty reference to different church units in the Anagāradharmāmặta.
The units referred to are the 'gana',302 'kula',303 and the 'gaccha'.304 Out of these only the last is explained by the commentary as being a group of seven monks (saptapuruşasantāna), which is identical with the explanation given in the Mülācāra.
It is, however astonishing to find that the text is absolutely silent over the various 'gaņas', 'gacchas', 'kulas', 'anvayas' and other units which, as we shall see in a separate chapter, are copiously referred to in the epigraphs of this period.
299. Ibid. p. 575.
300. We also come across the word 'gaņeśa' which is explained by the Comm. as the 'sanghanātha': Angd. 7, 77, comm. p. 518.
301. Ibid. 9, 75-79. 302. Ibid. 7, 56. 303. Ibid. comm. p. 505. 304. Ibid. p. 521.