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Jaina Acara : Siddhanta aura Swarupa
virtues like intuition, transcendental knowledge and the like. In modern parlence he is a Judge, since his judicial pronouncements could not be qestioned even by the head preceptor in whose absence at religious congregations it was the Sthavira who represented the Acarya'.
Gani :
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Abhayadeva says that its meaning is the head of a large group, but Acarangacurni says that the Acarya himself, when he wanted to be taught some text, could not approach any other saint but the Gani alone who used to be the repository of scriptural knowledge. The head must have qualities of head and heart but he is not always necessarily learned in all lores. The Gani was the only dignitary who could do this job which signifies the respect that he commanded.
Gaṇadhara :
Etymologically it signifies the head, i.e. the Acarya himself. Malayagiri holds that he who has the greatest, unequalled knowledge and reasoned conviction is 'Ganadhara'. In the canonical literature it has been given two meanings. The chief disciples of the founders of Faith were given teaching work. They used to be the leaders of their own group. They were Gaṇadharas, but the Acarya was not a gaṇadhara, though he was so designated in later literature. Abhayadeva says that he used to be incharge of nuns. He used to be their guide, teacher and counsellor. But in Lord Mahavira's time it was Candanbālā who did this job efficiently. There are references to female administrators exclusively for nuns. No monk was entrusted with such responsibility. Why he expressed this view deserves to be investigated in right earnest.
Gaṇāvacchedaka :
He had a strong feeling of affection for the organization. Abhayadeva says that he supports, consolidates it and collects necessary implements for monks in general. He goes from place to place in search of such articles.
He is a man of parts, patient, persevering, well-built benefactor of the organization and ever ready to meet others' legitimate needs. He leaves the Acarya and Upadhyaya free to plan and execute the development and expansion of their Order. They do not ask anybody for any specific work. It is he who consults the Acarya when necessary and requests him to do a thing if it has to be accomplished by him alone or with his express permission.
Any and every monk cannot be appointed for any of the above-said seven positions, Vyavaharasūtra and its commentary have laid down that the essential qualification is at least eight years' experience as a monk.The candidate must be self-disciplined, expert in delivering religious discourses,
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