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JAINA MONASTIC JURISPRUDENCE
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of perfect moral conduct and self-control (Than., p. 422b). From the qualifications and the nature of duties assigned to him, the ganin may be equated with the acarya. This is also supported by the commentary to the Thanangasutta.
Along with all these, there is mentioned yet another officer termed as gaṇāvacchedaka. The information regarding his qualifications and duties cannot be had in the Anga texts at all. The only information that is given is that he was the head of the part of a gana. or a group of monks (Than., p. 245a).
Further amplification regarding the qualifications and the duties of these various officers can be had only when we come to the Cheyasuttas. In these texts, all theseand some more,-officers of the church are mentioned. For instance, the Vavahara (X, 14), gives three categories of a thera. First, the jaithera. He was so called because he was sixty years old. The 'pariyāyathera' was one who had at least twenty years' standing as a monk. The 'suyathera' was well-versed in the Thananga and the Samavayanga suttas. Besides this, the same text gives details of the privileges which were enjoyed by the thera. For instance, very old monks or jaitheras were allowed to take rest while others begged alms for them. Similar concessions regarding the deposition of requisites were also allowed to them in case they were unable to carry these. (Vav. VIII, 5).
In the case of the uvajjhaya, besides the knowledge of the scriptures, monastic etiquette and practice of selfcontrol, the person had to be such as had at least three years' standing (tivāsapariyāya). However, a mere three years' standing was deemed of no avail if the person was not well-versed in ayarapakappa or the code of monastic conduct. Moreover, he was to be a person who was smart and organizational enough to enroll new members to the fold. His duties were mainly academic, though he had to look after the nuns as well. (Vav. III, 3, 4, 12).
The ayariya-uvajjhaya had to be endowed with at least five years' standing along with the knowledge of the suyak
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