________________
BRAHMESHANANDA: JAIN MONASTICISM
111
Church-hierarchy
A candidate having accepted the monastic life is put on probation after a preliminary diksā called sāmāyika-caritra. This involves vows to avoid sins and to practise equanimity. Such a probationer is called a seha, samanera or antevāsi. He must prove himself worthy of monastic life and must show implicit obedience to seniors. After a variable period of seven days to six months, he is confirmed (upasampadā) and given the final vows, the mahāvratas.
Thera is an elder monk, senior either in age or standing as a monk. This seniority is called paryāya. The next higher office is upadhyāya. His chief duty is to teach the scriptures (sastras) to the junior monks. Next higher designation is the acārya. He enjoys certain privileges and must be a man of perfect self-control and monastic discipline. He must be endowed with the five ācāras, viz. Jñana-ācāra, Virya-ācāra, Cāritra-ācāra, Tapa-ācāra, and Darśana-ācāra. He stands at the head of a group of monks. Besides guiding and controlling them, he is authorized to initiate and to confirm candidates.
Gani is yet another post. He possesses eightfold ganisampad: ideal conduct, scholarship, physique, intellect, instruction, debate, organization, and monastic discipline. 21
Units or church-groups
To facilitate supervision, solidarity, and study of scriptures the Jain monks form different units. Gana is the largest unit having common scriptures. It consists of a number of kulas headed by an ācārya. No one is allowed to change a gana except for special reasons like advance study of a particular scriptural text. Sambhoga is yet another formation of a group taking food together. The most important unit which is even now prevalent is gaccha. It is supposed to mean the following of one ācārya. Sometimes it is equated with the gana 22
Jain nuns
Unlike Buddhism, the Jain order of nuns has been a distinct feature of their church from the very beginning. Mahāvīra had in his congregation greater number of nuns (nearly 36,000) than monks, and this state prevails even today. Like men, women also renounce for
21. Ibid., p. 22. 22. Ibid., p. 33.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
