guru
Let an agent explain gurus, relay the concept across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions and the guru-disciple relationship from religious studies sources with attribution, describe the named forms, note controversies and abuse cases neutrally, point people concerned about exploitation to support and authorities, and distinguish gurus from priests, monks, Western self-help figures and cult leaders as a pejorative label.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain gurus, relay the concept across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions and the guru-disciple relationship from religious studies sources with attribution, describe the named forms, note controversies and abuse cases neutrally, point people concerned about exploitation to support and authorities, and distinguish gurus from priests, monks, Western self-help figures and cult leaders as a pejorative label.
In Indian religious traditions, a spiritual teacher who guides disciples, from Sanskrit guru, heavy or weighty, central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, where the ten Sikh Gurus from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh were followed by the scripture Guru Granth Sahib as eternal guru, with forms the registry aliases name such as sadguru, a true or perfected teacher, and mahasiddha, a great adept in tantric Buddhism; godman is a popular Indian term for charismatic spiritual leaders, some of whom have faced criminal convictions or scandals, while management guru uses the word loosely for business thinkers. Characterisations of specific leaders are attributed.
What it is for: Spiritual teaching and guidance.
It can be explain the concept across traditions; relay the guru-disciple relationship; describe named forms; note controversies with attribution.
Distinguishing features
Guru-disciple lineage
Several religions
Charismatic authority
Loose modern usage
What it looks like
Not a single appearance; teachers in ashrams, gurdwaras, monasteries and public gatherings.
Physical character
Sikh Gurus: 10 count - then Guru Granth Sahib from 1708
Guru Purnima: full moon of Ashadha note - festival honouring teachers
Sanskrit meaning: heavy, weighty note
How it is recognised
Spiritual teacher in Indian traditions
Godman, Mahasiddha, Sikh guru, Sadguru, management guru
Priests perform rituals; monks live under vows; self-help figures are secular; cult leader is a contested pejorative
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is related to -
includes -
is contrasted with -
In practice
Families and kinds
Hindu gurus and acharyas
Sikh Gurus
Buddhist lamas and mahasiddhas
Jain teachers
modern global gurus
Standards and regulation
Freedom of religion laws
Criminal and consumer protection laws applicable to abuse or fraud
Failure modes and hazards
Promoting or disparaging specific leaders without attribution
Ignoring abuse concerns
Stereotyping traditions
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.guru-person
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What a guru is.
Attribution.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is a guru, and how does the role differ from priests, monks, self-help figures and the cult leader label? definition
- Is the question about a tradition, a specific teacher, or concern about exploitation, where support organisations and authorities can help? boundary
Forms
Named forms.
Forms
Forms.
- What are godmen, mahasiddhas, Sikh Gurus, sadgurus and management gurus? definition
- Which entry fits the specific form? action
Traditions Traditions.
Attribution.
Hinduism
Hindu traditions.
Hinduism
Hinduism.
- How does the guru-shishya tradition transmit knowledge? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Sikhism
Sikh Gurus.
Sikhism
Sikhism.
- Who were the ten Sikh Gurus, and why is the Guru Granth Sahib the eternal guru? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Modern Modern gurus.
Attribution.
Global
Global spread.
Global
Global.
- How did gurus gain followings in the West from the 20th century? provenance
- Which entry fits new religious movement? action
Controversies
Controversies.
Controversies
Controversies.
- What documented controversies and convictions involve some godmen, with sources attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation neutral and attributed? boundary
Context Language.
Context.
Word
Loose usage.
Word
Word.
- How did guru come to mean an expert in English, as in management guru? provenance
- Which entry fits management consulting? action
Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima.
Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima.
- What is Guru Purnima? provenance
- Which entry fits Guru Purnima? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should Sikh Gurus be linked as a separate entry?
- How should religious studies sources be linked?
- Should management guru be moved to a separate sense?