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The Unknown Pilgrims
appointed for life as head of the group. Each year, on the occasion of the great gathering which is held in the place where the ācārya at that moment is, numerous groups of sadhvis are present. Each group is required to meet the acarya every two or three years at least, as circumstances dictate. On their arrival the sadhvis present themselves before the ăcărya and perform the guruvandana, then, out of fidelity to the spirit of aparigraha, the agraganya hands back charge of her group to the acarya, along with the few books and other objects that the sādhvis have had at their disposal. Several days later, during an official gathering, the acarya assigns to each group its location for the following caturmāsya (rainy season). Generally he re-appoints the same agraganyas to the headship of their same groups; however, he may transfer some sadhvis from one group to another.
430
The sadhvis lead a sisterly community life around their guruni or agraganya, relating to one another in a simple way. The guruni fulfils the role of a mother or elder sister, according to her age, taking care of every aspect of the sadhvis' life. These links are those of a spiritual family in which the guruni is venerated on account of her knowledge of the Scriptures and of the doctrine, her life of renunciation and her wisdom. Nowhere is this daughterly veneration better expressed than in the guruvandana-sutra,23 and the laghu-guruvandana. Sometimes, for a young or orphan sädhvi, the guruni is doubly mother and very deep and strong bonds unite them to one another. Mahāsati Śri Hukamadevi has described very well this indissoluble unity in the biography of her guruņi, Mahāsati Śri Mohanadevi, who was a truly remarkable pravartini.24
Over the guruni and, if there is one, the pravartini, there is a higher authority in the person of the acarya, the upadhyaya or a venerable and senior muni appointed by the ācārya. The sadhvis consider the ācārya as their guru, the spiritual master to whom they address themselves for confession in the case of serious offence, for matters concerning the study of Scripture and other studies, for decisions relating to vihāras
23 Cf. P 320 ff.; 701.
24 Cf. Mahāsati Hukamadevi (undated), pp. 151-156; cf. P 618 ff.
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