Acharya: Difference between revisions

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Acharya" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

In Indian religions and society, an acharya (IAST: ācārya) is a preceptor or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men.^[1] The designation has different meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism and secular contexts. It is also a Brahmin surname found in Nepal and across India, including Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra^{[citation needed]}.

Acharya is sometimes used to address a teacher or a scholar in any discipline, e.g.: Bhaskaracharya, the mathematician. It is also a common suffix in Viswabrahmin names, e.g.: sankaracharya. In South India, this suffix is sometimes shortened to Achar, e.g., TKV Desikachar.

The term "acharya" is most often said to include the root "char" or "charya" (conduct). Thus it literally connotes "one who teaches by conduct (example)," i.e. an exemplar.^{[citation needed]}

In Hinduism, an acharya (आचार्य) is a formal title of a teacher or guru, who has attained a degree in Vedanga.^{[citation needed]}

The Five Main Acharyas in the Hindu tradition are:

• Adi Sankaracharya^[2]
• Ramanujacharya^[3]
• Madhvacharya^[4]
• Nimbarkacharya^{[5][citation needed]}
• Vallabhacharya^{[citation needed]}

• Sri Ramakrishna
• Swami Vivekananda
• Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
• Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
• Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of ISKCON

In Buddhism, acharya is a senior teacher. Notable acharyas:

• Pema Chödrön (b. 1936) acharya at Gampo Abbey^[6]

In Jainism, an acharya is the highest leader of a Jain order. Acharya is one of the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme beings) and thus worthy of worship. They are the final authority in the monastic order and has the authority to ordain new monks and nuns. They are also authorized to consecrate new idols, although this authority is sometimes delegated to scholars designated by them.

An acharya, like any other Jain monk, is expected to wander except for the Chaturmas. Bhaṭṭārakas, who head institutions, are technically junior monks, and thus permitted to stay in the same place.

• Bhaskaracharya
• Mahaviracharya
• Bhaskaracharya I

In Sanskrit institutions, acharya is a post-graduate degree.

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
• ISKCON
• Srikanta Acharya

• [2]
• Scriptural References to 'acarya'
• Jain Monks, Statesmen and Aryikas Dr. K. C. Jain