Mahant

(“great”) Honorific title given to an
ascetic who is the leader of a monastery.
Mahants are chosen by their predecessors and designate their successors.
While they are living, they have virtually
total control over the monastery and
its assets, even though they do not
own them. In any given ascetic
establishment, the mahant has very
high status, since he is the absolute ruler
of his small domain.