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  • can nuns become acharya in svetambara
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    can nuns become acharya in svetambara

    8 months ago 241

    In the Śvetāmbara tradition:

    • By normal tradition and practice:
    The title Āchārya is almost always given to a male monk. He becomes head of the whole saṅgh (monks and nuns) and holds the highest formal authority.
    • For nuns (sādhvījī):
    Senior nuns can get high leadership titles, for example: - Gaṇinī / Gaṇinī-Āryikā / Pramukh Sādhvī / Mahāśramaṇī (names vary by sub-sect, like Terāpanth etc.) These nuns practically lead and guide groups of nuns, teach, and do many duties similar to a leader — but the formal title used is not usually “Āchārya”.
    • Rare / exceptional cases:
    There are a very few modern, special cases where a nun has been given the title Āchāryā by her guru. But these are exceptions, not the standard, widely-accepted pattern across all Śvetāmbara gacchas.

    So, simple answer:

    • Scripturally, women in Śvetāmbara can progress spiritually fully (up to moksha).
    • In actual monastic hierarchy, nuns normally do not become Āchārya; instead they become very senior leaders with other titles.
    • A nun being formally called “Āchāryā” is possible but rare and controversial, not the usual Śvetāmbara system.

    You can read a related explanation about female Āchāryas here

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