Acharya (Jainism)

In Digambara Jainism, Āchārya has thirty-six primary attributes (mūla guṇa) consisting in:[1]

According to the Jain text, Dravyasamgraha, Those who themselves practise the five-fold observances in regard to faith (darśanācāra), knowledge (jñānācāra), power (vīryācāra), conduct (cāritrācāra), and austerities (tapācāra), and guide disciples to follow these observances, are the Chief Preceptors (Ācāryas), worthy of meditation.” (52)Chandanaji became the first Jain woman to receive the title of Acharya in 1987.

[4] The external austerities (bāhya tapas) are fasting (anaśana), reduced diet (avamaudarya), special restrictions for begging food (vrttiparisamkhyāna), giving up stimulating and delicious dishes (rasaparityāga), lonely habitation (viviktaśayyāsana), and mortification of the body (kāyakleśa).

[5] Expiation (prāyaścitta), reverence (vinaya), service (vaiyāvrttya), study (svādhyāya), renunciation (vyutsarga), and meditation (dhyāna) are the internal austerities (antarañg tapas).

[6]Five kinds of observances in regard to faith, knowledge, conduct, austerities, and power.