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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Swarupa
Upādhyāya-(Associate Preceptor). He who has the qualifications of the head preceptor deserves to be his associate. He should be possessed of good conduct and must be of a scholarly bent of mind. He should be adept at explaining the scriptural texts. He establishes his pupils in good faith, knowledge and conduct. Bhadrabahu says that he who teaches twelve 'angas' propounded by Lord Mahavira is really suited for the job. Himself rich in vision, knowledge and conduct it is his function to mould his disciples accordingly. 'u' and va, etymoligically, have been interpreted as giving the meaning of useful and concentrated respectively. He pronounces words with perfect accuracy with no lapses whatsoever. Formally or officially he is next to the head but is given the very same respect. As the head enters the abode, his feet are washed and so are his. It is the associate head who spreads knowledge far and wide. The dissemination of learning in all corners is his responsibility. To preserve the purity of holy books by considering various readings and determining the context is his prerogative. All this is possible because of his learning and curiosity to learn further day by day.
Pravacanasāroddhāra has noted eight distinctive merits of his as under:
(1) Pravacanī—He must be a profound scholar of Jaina and non-Jaina holy books.
(2) Dharmakathā——He should be effective in delivering religious discourses interspers with relevant stories.
(3) Vadi—He should be proficient in vindicating his stand and refuting the opponent's.
(4) Naimittika–He should be able to correctly assess the good and bad of the past, present and future.
(5) Tapasvī—He should be clever in the observance of various penances.
(6) Vidyāvāna—He should be a scholar of fourteen kinds of leaming like Rohiņi and Prajnapti.
(7) Siddha-He should be experienced in the application of collyrium, foot-smearing etc.
(8) Kavi-He should be a creative writer able to handle prose, verse, what is to be narrated and sung.
His qualities have been determined in two ways. According to the first the number of qualities is twenty-four. 11 Angas, 12 Upāngas, Carana ie. great vows to be observed day in an day out etc. The last are Karma i.e. process of energy. At times for some special purpose in view inspection of cloth, utensils etc. was prescribed.
A different count is as under-proficient in twelve Angas (original scriptures), expert in thirteen processes of energy, fourteen rectitudes of will and eight kinds of effective ways of controlling body, mind and speech. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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