Answer

Jainism is not based on the idea that the soul of a man is higher than the soul of a woman. In Jain dharma, the atma is beyond gender. So the difference in scripture access is generally not meant to show spiritual inferiority of sadhvijis.

Explanation

There are a few important reasons this happens in practice:

• Tradition and lineage: In different Jain gacch/sects, monastic education developed differently over time.
• Preservation of texts: Some Agams and commentaries were traditionally transmitted more strongly in certain male monastic lineages.
• Monastic discipline and role-based custom: Certain study practices became customary for sadhus and others for sadhvis, even though the spiritual goal is the same.
• Practical administration: In some communities, access to teachers, manuscript collections, and formal study systems was historically unequal.

So, if sadhvijis are not reading some texts, that usually reflects historical and institutional custom, not a statement that women are less capable of moksha or less pure spiritually.

Spiritual Understanding

From the Jain point of view:

• Soul has no gender in its true nature
• Right conduct, right faith, and right knowledge are for everyone
• Liberation depends on karmic purification, not on being male or female

So Jain philosophy does not support “purush pradhan” in the ultimate spiritual sense. However, social and monastic systems sometimes became male-centered in practice.

Takeaway

The core Jain teaching is that spiritual worth is the same for all souls. If sadhvijis do not study certain scriptures in some traditions, it is mainly due to historical custom and monastic structure, not because Jain dharma says women are spiritually lesser.