The Doctrine of the Jainas, Described after the Old Sources c10.24

c10.24

§140. Both monks and nuns are under the command of superiors, in the first line under that of the āyariya and the uvajjhāya, to whom we have to add the pavattiṇī for the nun (Vav. 3, 11 f.). General expressions for subordination are ṭurao kaṭṭu (kāum) viharai (K. 3, 14; Vav. 4, 11; Pajj. 46. 48) and disam (aṇudisam) viharai (Vav. first 1, 22-24; Nis. 10, 11 f.). The superiors are enumerated in the order of āyariya, uvajjhāya, pavaṭṭī, thera, gaṇi, gaṇahara, gaṇāvaccheiya (K. 3, 14; 4, 15-23; Ā yār. II 66, 33; 67, 7; 80, 31 etc.; Nandi 252b etc.), In this order of succession the thera is followed by the leaders for the exterior formation. The gaṇī by way of his name is the head of the gaṇa. The qualities by which he has to distinguish himself are, most naturally, eminent qualities of the mind manifesting themselves by knowledge, exemplariness, and a high proficiency in teaching, as well as such of the body represented by physical efficiency and an engaging appearance. They all go together as the 8 gaṇi-sampayā Dasā 4, 1-8=Ṭhāṇ. 422b. The duties of the gaṇī are dealt with by the Gaṇivijjā based on considerations concerning both the calendar and the horoscope. Here we see the gaṇa being summoned by him for certain ceremonies (gaṇa-saṃgahaṇaṃ kujjā first 27) apart from the gaṇi's performing the seha-nippheḍaṇa, s.-nikkhamana, vavatthāvaṇa and other duties which, as will presently be shown, is the task of the āyariya. The gaṇin, however, is—to speak with Sthān. 140—gaṇ'ācārya. Acc. to Gaṇiv. 37 the (common) āy. is explicitly meant to be the object of an act performed by the gaṇi, and he, too (Gaṇiv. 40. 76), commands the gaṇahara and the gaṇavaccheiya. The latter, being of a lower rank (see later) as is indicated by his designation presides over a part of the gaṇa nominally.¹ A nun occupying this office is called gaṇāvaccheiṇī (Vav. 5, 3f. 7-10. 16).² He who is pious, honest, intelligent, learned, efficient and sociable is qualified for gaṇaṃ dhāretta, i.e. the profession of the gaṇahara (Thāṇ. 352b). The monk himself volunteers to take over this office, and his thera, provided that they can do without him, are bound to give their permission (Vav. 3, 1f.): At any rate the word of gaṇahara has lost much of the meaning it had in the times of the early communities.