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Meaning of Acharya
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- Acharya means the respected spiritual mentor or teacher who leads a Jain monastic community.
- In Jainism, an Acharya is the head of a monastic order (samudaya) and has the authority to ordain new monks and nuns, supervise the rules (samayik, pratikraman, etc.), and guide the community in doctrine and conduct.
- The role emphasizes spiritual leadership, discipline, and the preservation and teaching of Jain scriptures and ethics.
- There can be small differences in emphasis between Digambar and Śvētāmbara traditions, but both use the term to denote the senior preceptor who directs the order.
- In everyday usage, an Acharya is seen as a teacher who helps others progress on the path of renunciation, non-violence, truth, and self-purification.
