Question

How many fundamental qualities (Mula Gunas) do Upadhyaya Parameshtis have?

• A. Twenty-five
• B. Twenty-eight
• C. Thirty-six
• D. Forty-six

Hint:

Easy Memory Trick:
Acharya (Leader) = 36.
Upadhyaya (Teacher) = 25.
Sadhu (Basic Monk) = 28.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Pancha Parameshti are the five supreme beings in Jainism. Each has a specific set of fundamental qualities or vows they must maintain. The Upadhyaya is the teacher-monk who masters the scriptures.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The distribution of qualities is:
1. Arihant: 46.
2. Siddha: 8.
3. Acharya (Leader): 36.
4. Upadhyaya (Teacher): 25.
5. Sadhu (Monk): 28.
The 25 qualities of an Upadhyaya are based on their scriptural knowledge:
- 11 Angas: The 11 primary limbs of the Jain canon.
- 14 Purvas: The 14 ancient texts that form part of the 12th limb (Drishtivada).
Total: \( 11 + 14 = 25 \). Masters of these 25 texts are designated as Upadhyayas to teach other monks.

Step 3: Final Answer:
There are 25 (Panchavimshati) fundamental qualities for an Upadhyaya.