Women recites sutra valid for men’s pratikaman?
Yes. In Jain Dharma, the validity of a layperson’s pratikraman does not depend on the gender of the person whose voice you follow. A woman’s recitation (live or recorded) is fully valid for men’s pratikraman, and vice‑versa.
Keep these points in mind for purity and correctness:
- Follow your own tradition’s text: Shvetambar or Digambar. Use the approved Pratikraman paddhati for your sect.
- Adjust gendered words when required: a male participant should say the “śrāvak” (male) forms, and a female participant the “śrāvikā” (female) forms, even if the leader/recording uses the other form.
- The essential validity rests on right faith, right knowledge of the sutras you recite, right conduct during samayik/pratikraman, and sincere repentance (alochana, pratikraman, pratyākhyān). The leader’s gender is irrelevant.
- Personal vows (e.g., fasting pratyākhyān, pachakkhāṇa) must be spoken by the person taking them.
Sect notes:
- Shvetambar: Devasi/Rai Pratikraman may be led by anyone knowledgeable (monk, nun, or layperson). Participants adapt the few gendered phrases themselves.
- Digambar: Using the approved lay Pratikraman paddhati, guidance can be by anyone competent. Again, participants use the correct gendered forms for themselves.
In short: a woman reciting sutras can validly lead or guide men’s pratikraman, provided the text, pronunciation, procedure, and the participant’s own responses are correct and pure in bhāva.