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These scriptures most Jaina laymen are familiar with, but the instructor should, according to some Jaina, have also studied the scriptures the laymen have not read, namely, the eleven Arga and the twelve Upārga or the Caraṇasitari 1 and the Karanasitari?, or, according to others, the eleven Anga and the fourteen Pūrva. All teaching and studying is a kind of austerity; if a man studies intentionally to gain merit, he will get merit (punya); if, however, he studies and teaches to gain and impart knowledge with no thought
of acquiring merit, he will destroy certain karma (nirjarā). Ācārya. A still higher rank is attained when a monk becomes an
Acārya or Superior. In many sects the Ācārya is chosen simply by seniority (this is nearly always the case in Kāțhiāwād), but in others the Ācārya is selected for ability, or powers of leadership, as is generally done in Mālwā.
The choosing of a new Superior or Acārya is made the occasion of great rejoicing. Jaina laymen come to the Apāsaro, take the twelve vows or renew them, and sing songs and make the greatest noise imaginable. In order to permit of animals sharing in their rejoicing, they pay butchers varying sums to cease killing for those days. An Acārya is a man of very high dignity: he never travels alone, but is always accompanied by at least two sādhus; and as his fame grows, the number of his disciples increases. When the writer, for instance, had the pleasure in Rājkot of meeting Sivalālaji Mahārāja (who is considered the most learned Sthānakavāsi ācārya of the present time), he had travelled thither with twenty-one attendant sādhus.
The power of excommunication for religious offences lies with the Acārya 3 acting with the Jaina community or sangha, and it is to the Acārya that, whenever possible, the monks of his sangha should make confession. As a rule the Acārya wears the same dress, eats the same food, and
1 Or Caraṇānuyoga.
Or Karanānuyoga. 3 The Ācārya, acting with the community, excommunicates for religious offences; but for offences against society the Mahājana (committee of leading Baniyā) excommunicates.
