Guru

A guru (गुरू Sanskrit) is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Based on a long line of philosophical understandings of the importance of knowledge, guru is seen in these religions as a sacred conduit, or a way to self-realization. In India and among people of Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh belief, the title retains a hallowed meaning.

Related Topics:
Sanskrit - Hinduism - Buddhism - Sikhism - Philosophical - Self-realization - India - Hindu - Buddhist - Sikh

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Guru also refers in Sanskrit to Brihaspati, a Hindu figure analogous to the Roman planet/god Jupiter. In Vedic astrology, Jupiter/Guru/Brihaspati is believed to exert teaching influences. Indeed, in many Indian languages, such as Hindi, Thursday is called either Brihaspativaar or Guruvaar (vaar meaning period or day).

Related Topics:
Brihaspati - Jupiter - Vedic astrology - Indian languages - Hindi - Thursday

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In contemporary India and Indonesia, Guru is widely used with the general meaning "teacher". In Western usage, the original meaning of guru has been extended to cover anyone who acquires followers, not necessarily in an established school of philosophy or religion. In a further metaphorical extension, guru is used of a person who has authority because of his or her perceived knowledge or skills in a domain of expertise.

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The importance of discerning between a true guru and a false one is explored in scriptures and teachings of religions in which a guru plays a role. The assessment and criticism of gurus and the Guru-shishya tradition are espoused in the discourse about new religious movements by Western secular scholars, theologians, anti-cultists, and by skeptics both in the West and in India.

Related Topics:
Guru-shishya tradition - New religious movement - Theologians - Anti-cultists - Skeptics

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