法苑珠林 83.13

83.13

"One who is called an elder / Does not necessarily have shaved hair and beard;
Even though one's years are advanced, / One is not exempt from evil conduct.
If someone sees the truth of the Dharma, / Harms no one among the multitude,
And abandons all defiled and evil conduct, / He is called an elder.
What I now call an elder / Is not necessarily one who went forth first;
One who cultivates the fundamental good karma / And distinguishes correct conduct,
Even if he is young in years, / If his faculties have no leaks or flaws,
He is called an elder / Who distinguishes the practice of the true Dharma."