A Pattavali (From Sanskrit patta: seat, avali: chain) is a record of a spiritual lineage of heads of monastic orders. They are thus spiritual genealogies. It is generally presumed that two successive names are teacher and pupil. Thus the pupil derives his authority from his teacher, the lineage goes back to the founder (Lord Mahavira in case of Jainism). The term is applicable for all dharmic religions, but is generally used for Jain monastic orders. There are several famous pattavalis which are often used to establish historical chronologies: