In “The Chapter on Going Forth,” Kalyāṇamitra reads this as an abbreviation of “refuge instructor” (Tib. gnas kyi slob dpon). A “refuge” or “refuge monk” is one who has passed ten years as a monk and possesses five qualities and is thus fit to guide new monks, grant ordination, and instruction. In “The Chapter on Going Forth,” the Buddha says a monk who has been ordained five years may be considered “independent” enough to travel independently between monsoons. Though the text does not address the issue, a monk of five years ordination would not, in ordinary circumstances, acts as a refuge instructor.

A “support” is the preceptor (Tib. mkhan po; Skt. upādhyāya) of a new renunciant or ordained person, who is called the preceptor’s “ward” (Tib. lhan gcig gnas pa; Skt. sārdhaṃvihārin). For at least five years after ordination, monastics newly admitted to the saṅgha must live with or near a monastic mentor or “support.” If a new monk or nun wishes to travel while their mentor does not (or vice versa), the monk or nun must take a new support from among the saṅgha elders at their final destination. The new support is known as the “support instructor” (Tib. gnas kyi slob dpon; Skt. niśrayācārya) while the new monk or nun is known as their “apprentice” (Tib. nye gnas pa; Skt. antevāsika). See The Chapter on Going Forth (Toh 1, ch. 1, 1.628–1.678).