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Revision as of 22:01, 14 February 2004 editAndries (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers27,090 edits Charlatan is less dangerous than a madman← Previous edit Revision as of 00:13, 15 February 2004 edit undoMkweise (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,391 edits "Alternative definition" is really more of a pejorative label used by Christians for hereticsNext edit →
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The word '''''guru''''' means ''teacher'' in ] and other Sanskrit-derived languages like ], ] and ] but literally comes from the ] "gu" and "ru" where "gu" means darkness and "ru" means the act of removal so it is used for a teacher, someone who dispels darkness (ignorance) of the mind (person) and is a title of reverance used to address spiritual teachers or personal mentors in ]. In this sense, ''guru'' is used more or less interchangeably with ''satguru'' (literally: ''teacher of truth''). Compare also ]. The word '''''guru''''' means ''teacher'' in ] and other Sanskrit-derived languages like ], ] and ] but literally comes from the ] "gu" and "ru" where "gu" means darkness and "ru" means the act of removal so it is used for a teacher, someone who dispels darkness (ignorance) of the mind (person) and is a title of reverance used to address spiritual teachers or personal mentors in ]. In this sense, ''guru'' is used more or less interchangeably with ''satguru'' (literally: ''teacher of truth''). Compare also ].


In alternative definition, the word guru is used for anyone who makes ] or ] statements independent of a traditional ] or ] organization and attracts and accepts followers because of this. Occasionally, the word ''guru'' has been used by Christians to label anyone who makes ] or ] statements independent of an established school of ] or ] and attracts and accepts followers because of this.


The word has acquired a negative connotation in western countries, likely due to the prominence of several self-proclaimed "gurus" in the US during the ] and ] "]" movement (see e.g. ]), who used Hindu terminology without having much else in common with mainstream Hinduism. But also due to more traditional gurus who didn’t practise what they preached especially with regards to ] and luxury. Some gurus are ], ] or ] leaders or a combination of this. The word has acquired a negative connotation in western countries, likely due to the prominence of several self-proclaimed "gurus" in the US during the ] and ] "]" movement (see e.g. ]), who used Hindu terminology without having much else in common with mainstream Hinduism. But also due to more traditional gurus who didn’t practise what they preached especially with regards to ] and luxury. Some gurus are ], ] or ] leaders or a combination of this.

Revision as of 00:13, 15 February 2004


The word guru means teacher in Sanskrit and other Sanskrit-derived languages like Hindi, Bengali and Gujurati but literally comes from the aksharas "gu" and "ru" where "gu" means darkness and "ru" means the act of removal so it is used for a teacher, someone who dispels darkness (ignorance) of the mind (person) and is a title of reverance used to address spiritual teachers or personal mentors in Hinduism. In this sense, guru is used more or less interchangeably with satguru (literally: teacher of truth). Compare also Swami.

Occasionally, the word guru has been used by Christians to label anyone who makes philosophical or religious statements independent of an established school of Christianity or western philosophy and attracts and accepts followers because of this.

The word has acquired a negative connotation in western countries, likely due to the prominence of several self-proclaimed "gurus" in the US during the 1960s and 1970s "New Age" movement (see e.g. Osho), who used Hindu terminology without having much else in common with mainstream Hinduism. But also due to more traditional gurus who didn’t practise what they preached especially with regards to celibacy and luxury. Some gurus are charlatans, self deceived or cult leaders or a combination of this.

The British psychiatry professor Anthony Storr argues in his book 'Feet of clay - A Study of gurus' that gurus share common character traits (e.g. being a loner) and that some suffer from a mild form of schizophrenia. The scholar David Lane wrote that a charlatan who cons people is not as dangerous as a guru who really believes in his delusions.

Guru is also the Sanskrit name of the planet Jupiter, which in vedic astrology is believed to exert teaching influences.

See also Contemporary Hindu Movements.

Incomplete list of gurus

External Links

The term guru has since passed into wider metaphorical use. In hacker culture, Guru is an expert. Implies not only wizard but also a history of being a knowledge resource for others. Less often, used (with a qualifer) for other experts on other systems, as in VMS guru. (The definition is from Jargon file.)

There is also a 1990s alternative rapper named Guru.