Keyword #3 Guru

Teacher

Dear Enlightenment Legacies Reader,

You are invited to join our digital vihāra. Today’s keyword is “Guru.” We shall begin with an expansion of our keyword in four major Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: guru गुरु

Pāli: upādhyāya उपाध्याय

Chinese: shàngshī 上師

Tibetan: bla ma བླ་མ་

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Definition

In Buddhism, the term “guru” represents a highly revered teacher or guide. This term connotes a figure of significant weight and authority, typically serving as a mentor or instructor in religious practices and doctrines. In Buddhism, the guru is more than a teacher; they are often venerated as a religious guide leading disciples on their path to enlightenment.

Significance

The concept of the guru in Buddhism carries profound historical and cultural relevance. Emphasized in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, the guru is not only a teacher but also a guide on the path to personal and universal awakening. The relationship between guru and disciple is deeply symbolic, often compared to the bond between father and son, signifying nurturance, guidance, and the transfer of wisdom and insight. In Mahāyāna scriptures such as the Avataṃsakasūtra, the guru plays a crucial role in guiding spiritual seekers like Sudhana through a series of encounters with various mentors, each imparting different aspects of insight into the path. The Avataṃsaka’s literary representation highlights the multifaceted nature of the guru as a figure embodying various forms of wisdom.

In the Vajrayāna, the guru assumes an even more central role. Here, the guru is regarded as the human embodiment of the Buddha’s cosmic bodies. This reflects the belief that the guru’s teachings and presence facilitate a direct connection with the higher truths taught in the Tantras. The Gurupañcāśikā, a text delineating the proper conduct of students in the presence of a tantric guru, underlines the reverence and respect owed to the teacher. In Tibet, as in India, the guru is central to religious practice, an essential mediator and conveyor of the Buddha’s teachings, often revered as an embodiment of the Buddha himself. The veneration of the guru in Buddhist literature and art reflects this deep-seated reverence. Representations of gurus in Buddhist art often depict them with auras of sanctity, emphasizing their divine nature and their role in the journey of their disciples. In summary, the guru is a cornerstone of practice and understanding, transcending the role of a mere teacher to become a vital guide on the path to enlightenment.

With gratitude for your presence. I will see you next week.

All the best,

Martino