 Importance of Sthānāngasūtra can be gauged from the fact that Vyavahāra Chedasūtra (10, 20-34) mentions that it is suitable to be studied only by those ascetics, who have at least eight years standing in monkhood.Further more it is stated that only a monk who knows the Sthānānga by heart may attain the position of an ācārya, which, entitles him to supervise the monks and nuns in regard to their conduct and study.The first sūtra in the Sthānānga goes as follows