Sadhvi Vishrut Vibha
There was no system of imparting education to the sadhvis until the eighth Acharya - Kalugani. Acharya Shree noted, "The number of sadhvis is greater than the number of monks. Without educating the sadhvis, there would be a lack of qualitative development." After appointing Muni Tulsi as his successor, he admonished him, "The numbers of sadhvis are increasing but there is no system of education for them. You must pay your attention to this issue."
To establish a regimen to educate the monks was not a difficult task for Acharya Tulsi, but to begin to teach the sadhvis was a more arduous task. The social lens through which women were seen was quite different. To educate a woman is still a luxury but not a necessity in many parts of India. This was certainly the mindset that was engrained in the cultural ethos of those days, and this thinking reflected the circumstance of sadhvis.
Acharya Tulsi made significant inroads in shifting the traditional thinking of society about the value of educating women. Upon taking on the responsibility of Acharya, one of his first tasks was to work with sadhvis on imparting useful education.
For hours and hours he personally worked as an instructor to the sadhvis and Samanis. Acharya Tulsi introduced them to many scriptures and a wealth of philosophical literature. He taught them the ancient languages of Sanskrit and Prakrit, enabling them to write, read and speak in those languages. The progress of sadhvis abundantly evident today is the manifestation of the constant guidance of Acharya Shree Tulsi.
Today sadhvis and samanis are effective orators and writers. We see them studying and achieving degrees in higher education as MAs, PhDs and alike. We see them participating in national and international seminars and conferences, conducting camps, as well as managing meditation and spiritual centers across the globe. Many are renowned for their work in translating and interpreting ancient texts, administrating the Jain Vishva Bharati University academic system and conducting lectures and seminars in comparative philosophy and business ethics. It is due to the untiring efforts of Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya, that the sadhvis and samanis, the women of the Jain leadership, are spiritual contemporaries to sadhus and samans in representing the Jainism around the world.
