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THE CUSTODIANS OF MONASTIC DISCIPLINE
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Introduction We have so far surveyed the preliminary field for the study of Jaina monastic jurisprudence. We have seen the nature of the canon, the controversy about it, the texts essential for the study of the topic in hand, the spirit which underlies the formulation of rules of monastic conduct and the nature and meaning of transgressions and exceptions.
We now get into the core of the subject and see the nature of the principal prāyaścittas, the custodians and judges of monastic conduct or the hierarchy, and the rules regarding their qualifications.
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The Custodians of Monastic Discipline: The Hierarchy
While dealing with the nature and meaning of transgression and exception, it was made clear that only a person who was a giyattha (gitārtha) or well-versed in monastic discipline could be taken to be the best judge in deciding whether a particular transgression was committed or otherwise.
Naturally the question arises here as to who the person or persons were, who were so authorized by virtue of their disciplined mode of life and seniority to act as custodians and judges of the rules of monastic jurisprudence. What were the essential qualifications for such persons ? What were the rules about seniority? To what factors was it related? The answers to all these questions will unfold the nature of the Jaina church hierarchy, the various units and their inter-relation.
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