Guru
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(Redirected from Gurus)
For other uses, see Guru (disambiguation).
Guru (Sanskrit: ????), is a term denoting a teacher in the religious or spiritual sense, and is commonly used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. The guru is seen in these religions as a sacred conduit for wisdom and guidance. In many branches of the for-mentioned religions, the importance of finding a true guru is given as a prerequisite for attaining self-realization.
"Guru" also refers in Sanskrit to Brihaspati, a Hindu divine figure (on which is based the analogous Roman planet/god Jupiter). In Vedic astrology, Guru or Brihaspati is believed to exert teaching influences. Indeed, in many Indian languages such as Hindi, the occidental Thursday is called either Brihaspativaar or Guruvaar (vaar meaning day of the week).
In contemporary India, the word "guru" is widely used with the general meaning of "teacher." In Western usage, the meaning of guru has been extended to cover anyone who acquires followers, though not necessarily in an established school of philosophy or religion. In a further Western metaphorical extension, guru is used to refer to a person who has authority because of his or her perceived secular knowledge or skills.
