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{{Short description|Guide or instructor in religious matters in Dharmic religion}}
{{Short description|Guide or instructor in religious matters in Dharmic religion}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
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{{use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
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In [[Indian religions]] and society, an '''''acharya''''' ([[Sanskrit]]: आचार्य, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|''ācārya''}}; [[Pali]]: ''ācariya'') is a religious teacher in Hinduism and Buddhism and a spiritual guide to Hindus and Buddhists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=Acharya|title=Acharya - Quick search results &#124; Oxford English Dictionary}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Platts|first=John T.|title=A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English|publisher=W. H. Allen & Co.|location=London|year=1884|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:1246.platts|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707142932/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:1246.platts|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> The designation has different meanings in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and secular contexts.


In [[Indian religions]] and society, an '''''acharya''''' ([[Sanskrit]]: आचार्य, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|''ācārya''}}; Pali: ''ācariya'') is a preceptor and expert instructor in matters such as religion, or any other subject. An Acharya is a highly learned person with a title affixed to the names of learned subject.<ref>{{cite book|last=Platts|first=John T.|title=A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English|publisher=W. H. Allen & Co.|location=London|year=1884|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:1246.platts}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The designation has different meanings in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and secular contexts.
''Acharya'' is sometimes used to address an expert teacher or a scholar in any discipline, e.g.: [[Bhaskaracharya]], the expert mathematician.
 
''Acharya'' is sometimes used to address a expert teacher or a scholar in any discipline, e.g.: [[Bhaskaracharya]], the expert mathematician.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The Sanskrit phrase ''Acharam Grahayati Acharam Dadati Iti Va'' means ''Acharya'' (or teacher) is the one who teaches good conduct to one's students.<ref name="Singh2018">{{cite book|author=Vinod Singh|title=Higher Education for Sustainable Development and Millennium Development Goals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wEdxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT282|date=1 October 2018|publisher=CCLP Worldwide|isbn=978-93-5321-685-6|pages=282–|quote=The role of Guru or Acharya was also very significant in this traditional education system. The word 'Acharya' can be derived as 'Acharam Grahayati Acharam Dadati Iti Va'. It means- Acharya or teacher is that who teaches good behavior to his pupils}}</ref><ref name="SharmaSharma1996">{{cite book|author1=Ram Nath Sharma|author2=Rajendra Kumar Sharma|title=History of Education in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqtAAgS3NSEC&pg=PA35|year=1996|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-7156-599-3|pages=35–}}</ref> A female teacher is called an ''achāryā,'' and a male teacher's wife is called an ''achāryāni'' <ref name="Chatterjee1998">{{cite book|author=Suhas Chatterjee|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA273|year=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|pages=273–}}</ref>
The Sanskrit phrase ''ācāraṁ grahāyati ācāraṁ dadāti iti vā'' means ''Acharya'' (or teacher) is the one who teaches good conduct to one's students.<ref name="Singh2018">{{cite book|author=Vinod Singh|title=Higher Education for Sustainable Development and Millennium Development Goals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wEdxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT282|date=1 October 2018|publisher=CCLP Worldwide|isbn=978-93-5321-685-6|pages=282–|quote=The role of Guru or Acharya was also very significant in this traditional education system. The word 'Acharya' can be derived as 'Acharam Grahayati Acharam Dadati Iti Va'. It means- Acharya or teacher is that who teaches good behavior to his pupils}}</ref><ref name="SharmaSharma1996">{{cite book|author1=Ram Nath Sharma|author2=Rajendra Kumar Sharma|title=History of Education in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqtAAgS3NSEC&pg=PA35|year=1996|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-7156-599-3|pages=35–}}</ref> A female teacher is called an ''achāryā,'' and a male teacher's wife is called an ''achāryāni'' <ref name="Chatterjee1998">{{cite book|author=Suhas Chatterjee|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA273|year=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|pages=273–}}</ref>


==In Hinduism==
==In Hinduism==
In [[Hinduism]], an ''acharya'' is a formal title of a teacher or guru, who has attained a degree in Veda and Vedanga.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Education in India|page=35|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqtAAgS3NSEC&pg=PA35|author1=Ram Nath Sharma|author2=Rajendra Kumar Sharma|year=1996|publisher=Atlantic|isbn=8171565999}}</ref>{{full|date=October 2018}}


Prominent acharyas in the Hindu tradition are as given below :
The term ''<nowiki/>'Acharya''<nowiki/>' has numerous definitions. [[Hinduism]] frequently uses the terms "''acharya''" and "''[[guru]]''" interchangeably. According to the [[Dharmaśāstra|Dharma Shastras]], ''acharya'' is the one who imparts knowledge of the entire [[Vedas|Veda]] to a student and performs [[upanayana]] sanskar.<ref name="SharmaSharma1996" />
 
According to ''[[Nirukta]]'', an ancillary discipline associated with the Vedas, an acharya is an individual who imparts knowledge to a student, collects wealth from the student, and helps pupils understand behaviour based on moral norms.<ref name="SharmaSharma1996" />
 
According to ''[[Manusmriti]]'', the individual who, having initiated a pupil, teaches him the Veda along with the ritualistic and esoteric treatises—him they call, ‘Ācārya,’ ‘Preceptor’—(140).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2016-09-04 |title=Manusmriti Verse 2.140 [Meaning of the Title 'Ācārya'] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/manusmriti-with-the-commentary-of-medhatithi/d/doc199609.html#:~:text=%E2%80%94'He%20who%20having%20initiated%20the,' |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
 
'''Other authors' definitions:'''<ref name=":0" />
 
* ''[[Gautama Dharmasutra|Gautama-Dharmasūtra]]'', 1.10-11. — ‘The Upanayana is the second birth. He from whom this is received is the Ācārya.’
* ''[[Apastamba Dharmasutra|Āpastamba-Dharmasūtra]]'', 1.2.24-27.—‘He from whom one gathers (learns, ācinoti) his duties is the Ācārya; he brings about the essence of knowledge; this constitutes the highest birth.’
* ''Vaśiṣṭha-smṛti'', 3. 24.—‘He who, having initiated him, teaches him the entire Veda is the Ācārya.’
* ''[[Vishnu Smriti|Viṣṇu-smṛti]]'', 29.1.—‘He who, having initiated the pupil and taught him the observances, teaches him the Veda, should be known as the Ācārya.’
* ''[[Yājñavalkya Smṛti|Yājñavalkya-smṛti]]'', 1.34.—‘He who, after initiating, teaches the Veda is called the Ācārya.’
 
=== Prominent acharyas in the Hindu tradition ===
*[[Adi Sankara]]charya<ref>[viswakarma community] Although famous for being the proponent of ''[[advaita]] vad'', he established the supremacy of ''[[bhakti]]'' to [[Krishn]].</ref>
*[[Adi Sankara]]charya<ref>[viswakarma community] Although famous for being the proponent of ''[[advaita]] vad'', he established the supremacy of ''[[bhakti]]'' to [[Krishn]].</ref>
*[[Ramanuja]]charya<ref>He propagated the ''[[bhakti]]'' of ''[[Bhagwan]]'' ''[[Vishnu]]''. Source: [http://www.jagatguru.in/ramanuj.htm Ramanujacharya] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826200921/http://www.jagatguru.in/ramanuj.htm |date=26 August 2007 }}</ref>
*[[Ramanuja]]charya<ref>He propagated the ''[[bhakti]]'' of ''[[Bhagwan]]'' ''[[Vishnu]]''. Source: [http://www.jagatguru.in/ramanuj.htm Ramanujacharya] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826200921/http://www.jagatguru.in/ramanuj.htm |date=26 August 2007 }}</ref>
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==Buddhism==
==Buddhism==
In Buddhism, an ācārya ([[Pali]]: ''ācariya'') is a senior teacher or master. In [[Theravada]] it is sometimes used as a title of address for Buddhist monks who have passed ten ''[[vassa]]s''. In Thai, the term is ''[[ajahn]], and'' in Japanese it is ''ajari''.  
In Buddhism, an ācārya ([[Pali]]: ''ācariya'') is a senior teacher or master. In [[Theravada]] it is sometimes used as a title of address for Buddhist monks who have passed ten ''[[Vassa|vassas]]''. In Thai, the term is ''[[ajahn]]''.  


In [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]], tantric masters are known as [[Vajracharya|vajrācāryas]] (Tibetan: ''dorje lopön;'' [[Japanese language|Jp]]. “kongō ajari” 金剛阿闍梨).
In [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]], tantric masters are known as [[Vajracharya|vajrācāryas]] ([[Tibetan script|Tibetan]]: ''dorje lopön;'' [[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 金剛阿闍梨, pinyin: ''jīngāng āshélí'',  [[Japanese language|romanji]]. ''kongō ajari''). In Chinese Buddhism, this term is also sometimes alternatively translated as ''jingang shangshi'' ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 金剛上師; [[pinyin]]: ''Jīngāng'' ''Shàngshī'', lit: "Vajra Superior Master") in the context of certain rituals.


==In Jainism==
==In Jainism==
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[[File:Acharya KundaKunda.jpg|thumb|Image of Āchārya [[Kundakunda]], author of [[Jain texts]] like [[Pancastikayasara]], [[Niyamasara]]]]
[[File:Acharya KundaKunda.jpg|thumb|Image of Āchārya [[Kundakunda]], author of [[Jain texts]] like [[Pancastikayasara]], [[Niyamasara]]]]
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.
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 have the authority to ordain new monks and nuns. They also have the authority to consecrate new idols, though they occasionally appoint scholars to carry out this duty.


An acharya, like any other Jain monk, is expected to wander except for the [[Chaturmas]]. [[Bhattaraka|Bhaṭṭāraka]]s, who head institutions, are technically junior monks, and thus permitted to stay in the same place.
An acharya, like any other Jain monk, is expected to wander except for the [[Chaturmas]]. [[Bhattaraka|Bhaṭṭāraka]]s, who head institutions, are technically junior monks, and thus permitted to stay in the same place.
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* [[Bhaskaracharya I]]
* [[Bhaskaracharya I]]


==Acharya (degree)==
==Academic degree==
In Sanskrit institutions, acharya is a post-graduate degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/docfragment/33943525/?formInput=acharya%20degree%20equivalent%20to|title=Nandan Mishra vs University Of Delhi & Ors on 12 May, 2015|website=indiankanoon.org|access-date=2017-09-18}}</ref>
In Sanskrit institutions, acharya is a post-graduate degree equivalent to [[Master of Arts]] in the Anglophone world. The equivalent of a [[PhD]] is ''vidyāvāridhi''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/docfragment/33943525/?formInput=acharya%20degree%20equivalent%20to|title=Nandan Mishra vs University Of Delhi & Ors on 12 May, 2015|website=indiankanoon.org|access-date=2017-09-18}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[Srikanta Acharya]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 04:54, 25 September 2025


For other uses, see Acharya (disambiguation).

Template:Ref-improve

In Indian religions and society, an acharya (Sanskrit: आचार्य, IAST: ācārya; Pali: ācariya) is a religious teacher in Hinduism and Buddhism and a spiritual guide to Hindus and Buddhists.[1][2] The designation has different meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism and secular contexts.

Acharya is sometimes used to address an expert teacher or a scholar in any discipline, e.g.: Bhaskaracharya, the expert mathematician.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The Sanskrit phrase ācāraṁ grahāyati ācāraṁ dadāti iti vā means Acharya (or teacher) is the one who teaches good conduct to one's students.[3][4] A female teacher is called an achāryā, and a male teacher's wife is called an achāryāni [5]

In Hinduism[edit | edit source]

The term 'Acharya' has numerous definitions. Hinduism frequently uses the terms "acharya" and "guru" interchangeably. According to the Dharma Shastras, acharya is the one who imparts knowledge of the entire Veda to a student and performs upanayana sanskar.[4]

According to Nirukta, an ancillary discipline associated with the Vedas, an acharya is an individual who imparts knowledge to a student, collects wealth from the student, and helps pupils understand behaviour based on moral norms.[4]

According to Manusmriti, the individual who, having initiated a pupil, teaches him the Veda along with the ritualistic and esoteric treatises—him they call, ‘Ācārya,’ ‘Preceptor’—(140).[6]

Other authors' definitions:[6]

  • Gautama-Dharmasūtra, 1.10-11. — ‘The Upanayana is the second birth. He from whom this is received is the Ācārya.’
  • Āpastamba-Dharmasūtra, 1.2.24-27.—‘He from whom one gathers (learns, ācinoti) his duties is the Ācārya; he brings about the essence of knowledge; this constitutes the highest birth.’
  • Vaśiṣṭha-smṛti, 3. 24.—‘He who, having initiated him, teaches him the entire Veda is the Ācārya.’
  • Viṣṇu-smṛti, 29.1.—‘He who, having initiated the pupil and taught him the observances, teaches him the Veda, should be known as the Ācārya.’
  • Yājñavalkya-smṛti, 1.34.—‘He who, after initiating, teaches the Veda is called the Ācārya.’

Prominent acharyas in the Hindu tradition[edit | edit source]

Buddhism[edit | edit source]

In Buddhism, an ācārya (Pali: ācariya) is a senior teacher or master. In Theravada it is sometimes used as a title of address for Buddhist monks who have passed ten vassas. In Thai, the term is ajahn.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, tantric masters are known as vajrācāryas (Tibetan: dorje lopön; Chinese: 金剛阿闍梨, pinyin: jīngāng āshélí, romanji. kongō ajari). In Chinese Buddhism, this term is also sometimes alternatively translated as jingang shangshi (Chinese: 金剛上師; pinyin: Jīngāng Shàngshī, lit: "Vajra Superior Master") in the context of certain rituals.

In Jainism[edit | edit source]

Main article: Acharya (Jainism)
Image of Āchārya Kundakunda, author of Jain texts like Pancastikayasara, Niyamasara

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 have the authority to ordain new monks and nuns. They also have the authority to consecrate new idols, though they occasionally appoint scholars to carry out this duty.

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.

In scientific/mathematical scholarship[edit | edit source]

Academic degree[edit | edit source]

In Sanskrit institutions, acharya is a post-graduate degree equivalent to Master of Arts in the Anglophone world. The equivalent of a PhD is vidyāvāridhi.[11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Acharya - Quick search results | Oxford English Dictionary".
  2. ↑ Platts, John T. (1884). A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English. London: W. H. Allen & Co.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ↑ Vinod Singh (1 October 2018). Higher Education for Sustainable Development and Millennium Development Goals. CCLP Worldwide. pp. 282–. ISBN 978-93-5321-685-6. The role of Guru or Acharya was also very significant in this traditional education system. The word 'Acharya' can be derived as 'Acharam Grahayati Acharam Dadati Iti Va'. It means- Acharya or teacher is that who teaches good behavior to his pupils
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ram Nath Sharma; Rajendra Kumar Sharma (1996). History of Education in India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. pp. 35–. ISBN 978-81-7156-599-3.
  5. ↑ Suhas Chatterjee (1998). Indian Civilization and Culture. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 273–. ISBN 978-81-7533-083-2.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 www.wisdomlib.org (4 September 2016). "Manusmriti Verse 2.140 [Meaning of the Title 'Ācārya']". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  7. ↑ [viswakarma community] Although famous for being the proponent of advaita vad, he established the supremacy of bhakti to Krishn.
  8. ↑ He propagated the bhakti of Bhagwan Vishnu. Source: Ramanujacharya Archived 26 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ His philosophy is called dvaita vad. His primary teaching is that "the only goal of a soul is to selflessly and wholeheartedly love and surrender to God" Source: [1]
  10. ↑ His writings say that Radha Krishna are the supreme form of God.
  11. ↑ "Nandan Mishra vs University Of Delhi & Ors on 12 May, 2015". indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

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