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JAINA MONASTIC JURISPRUDENCE
31 younger monks of less standing were allowed to teach such older ones and then the latter were given their due status in the hierarchy. Thus considerations of age, standing, as also factors beyond one's control were properly judged. (Vav. V, 17-18).
I have discussed this problem in my 'History of Jaina Monachism'. I may be allowed to reproduce the relevant portion pertaining to the topic under discussion. "In order to avoid the conflict between age and seniority, certain rules had to be framed to avoid bad feeling between different members of the church. With a view, therefore, to put this into practice, the āyariya-uvajjhāya waited for four or five days if during that period another monk older in age completed his studies. Then the first confirmed the elder and then the younger even though the latter had completed his studies earlier. It may, however, be noted that the margin left for the completion of studies was not much as that would otherwise have made him not very eager in completing his studies. At the same time due consideration was shown to age by this rule, and the superiors who deliberately confirmed the younger person earlier than the older, even though both had completed their studies, had to undergo punishment (for this act).
"If two monks of different paryāyas wandered together and if the monk with greater paryāya had no disciple while the other with less paryāya had, then the latter with his disciples had to remain under the control of the former. If both had disciples, then also, those of less paryāya had to remain under the authority of him who had greater paryāya.... The difference between authority based on paryāya was to be observed compulsorily by pair of either monks or officers in order to facilitate the smooth working of the church and in order to avoid the conflict of age and learning regarding seniority, and the Church showed keen foresight, knowledge of psychological factors and wisdom in these rules.
In spite of these rules of seniority, the ācārya was allowed to appoint his successor if the former was seriously
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