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.

External links

Buddhism

• Enlightenment: Buddhism Vis-à-Vis Hinduism
• Interview with the Dalai Lama

Hinduism

• BAPS Swaminarayan Sampraday
• Gurus and Saints in Hinduism
• Who is a Guru?
• The Ten Great Mystic Masters of India
• Shri Krishna Bhajanamrta
• Guru Sri Sai Baba

Surat Shabda Yoga

• Science Of Spirituality
• Ruhani Satsang USA
• Unity Of Man
• Radha Soami Satsang Beas
• The Radhasoami tradition: A Critical History of Guru Successorship by David Christopher Lane, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, MSAC
• Sant Mat Meditation Net
• MasterPath

Sikhism

• Guru Nanak
• Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Other sites

• Understanding the Guru by Dr. Georg Feuerstein, author of The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. (2000)
• Guruism - a Hindu countermission by Johannes Aagaard of the Denmark based Dialog Center, an organization belonging to the Christian countercult movement
• Digital Baba 3-minute video by David C. Lane showing in the following order Maharaji, Satchitananda, Muktananda, Father Yod, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Sathya Sai Baba, and Yogi Bhajan
• "Ego Death Is Not A Game", an excerpt from Andrew Cohen's book In Defense of the Guru Principle.
• Why The Cynicism About Indian Gurus? from Rediff on the net India, March 30 2001 (VNN) ? article by Francois Gautier

Sites to assess gurus

• Exposing cults: when the skeptical mind confronts the mystical Excerpts on assessing the authenticity of a guru from a book by Dr. David C. Lane, Garland Publishing, Inc. (1994)
• Sarlo' Guru Rating Service Ratings of hundreds of gurus by Sarlo. Sarlo is a follower of the guru Osho/Rajneesh/Bhagwan and also has a corresponding Yahoo! group.
• The False Guru Test Checklist of 25 points

Critical sites

• The Myth of the Totally Enlightened Guru article by John Horgan, requires sign-up
• How to Become a Cult Guru or, You Too Can Induce Mass Suicide practical tips for charlatans and con men by Phil Milstein. Satirical website.
• Lotus-feet of Clay A Reluctant Mystic Looks At Spiritual Movements by John Wren-Lewis
• About Sai Baba and other self-proclaimed Godmen webpage of the Indian Skeptic about gurus and godmen
• Prabir Ghosh Gurubusters head of the Science and Rationalists? Association of India
• Personal disempowerment in worshipping gurus: exemplified by the Sathya Sai Baba cult long essay in 8 parts by the critical former follower Robert Priddy