In Jain Dharma, such bowing is generally not about personal spiritual superiority in the worldly sense. It is mainly about vinaya, maryada, and the discipline of the sangh.

Key Jain idea

A newly initiated monk or nun is bowed to because:

• the person has just entered the marg path of renunciation
• the diksha itself is sacred
• one shows respect to the state of vairagya, not to age or experience
• Jain tradition teaches ego-less humility, so even seniors practice respect toward the newly initiated

Why seniors bow

Even a very advanced sadhu or sadhvi may bow to a junior because:

• Maryada keeps the sangh orderly and pure
• it removes ahankar
• it shows reverence to the vow of renunciation
• it maintains the spirit of paraspar vinay — mutual humility

So the gesture does not necessarily mean the junior is spiritually above the senior.

Is it hierarchy?

Yes, there is a discipline-based hierarchy, but it is not meant as domination. It is usually based on:

• diksha order
• service and conduct
• sangh maryada
• respect for vows and spiritual discipline

This is different from social power hierarchy.

Is it male-dominant?

In Jain philosophy, spiritual respect is not meant to be male-dominant. Both sadhus and sadhvis are worthy of reverence according to their vows and discipline.

That said, in actual social practice, some customs may have been influenced by the historical patriarchal society, but that is not the core Jain spiritual principle.

Jain view in essence

The deeper Jain meaning is:

• Renunciation is honoured
• ego is reduced
• humility is preserved
• sangh discipline is maintained

So it is more about maryada and vinay than about gender or worldly seniority.

If you want, I can also explain the exact Jain maryada behind bowing between sadhus and sadhvis in a simple point-by-point way.