(“great”) An ascetic
who is the head of a monastery is given this honorific title.
Mahants are selected by their forefathers and are
responsible for naming their successors.
Even though they do not own the monastery or its assets,
they have nearly complete authority over them while they are alive.
Because he is the undisputed lord of his limited area, the
mahant holds extremely high rank in any particular ascetic institute.
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