Acharya 2179718 222915912 2008-07-01T18:53:13Z EALacey 13429 bold subject per Manual of Style An '''acharya''' is an important religious teacher ([[guru]]) who teaches by his own example (from [[Sanskrit]] 'achara', behavior). Often he is a head of a [[sampradaya]]. The word has different meanings in [[Hinduism]] and [[Jainism]]. ==In Hinduism== In the [[Hindu]] [[religion]], an acharya (आचार्य) is a ''Divine personality'' (महापुरुश) who is believed to have descended (अवतार) to teach and establish [[bhakti]] in the world and write on the [[philosophy]] (िसद्धांत) of devotion to [[Bhagwan|God]] (भगवान्).<ref>[http://encyclopediaofauthentichinduism.org/glossary.htm Glossary - Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Examples of acharyas in the Hindu tradition are: *[[Adi Sankara]]charya<ref>Although famous for being the proponent of ''[[advaita]] vad'', he established the supremecy of ''[[bhakti]]'' to [[Krishn]].</ref> *[[Ramanuja]]charya<ref>He propagated the ''[[bhakti]]'' of ''[[Bhagwan]]'' ''[[Vishnu]]''. Source: [http://www.jagatguru.in/ramanuj.htm Ramanujacharya]</ref> *[[Madhva]]charya<ref>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: [http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichinduism.org/articles/70_saints_acharyas.htm]</ref> *[[Nimbarka]]charya<ref>His writings say that Radha Krishn are the supreme form of God.</ref> *[[Vallabha]]charya<ref>''[[Pushtimarg]]''</ref> *[[Caitanya Mahaprabhu]]<ref>''[[Achintya bhedabhed vad]]''</ref> *[[Bhanubhakta Acharya]] *Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj<ref>[http://www.kripalujimaharaj.net/index.html Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj] is Called ''Nikhildarshansamanveyacharya'' (निखिलदर्शनसमन्वयआचार्य), the supreme acharya and [http://kripalu-maharaj.org/ Jagadguru] who has reconciled the differences that appeared in the philosophies of the previous ''acharyas'' and the ''Darshan Shastras'' (Source: ''The True History and the Religion of India'' ISBN-13: 978-8120817890)</ref> *[[Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj]] ([[Swaminarayan Sampradaya]] - NarNarayan Dev Gadi) *[[Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj]] (Swaminarayan Sampradaya - LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi) *[[Bhaktivedanta Narayana|Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja]] ==In Jainism== In [[Jainism]], an Acharya is a monk who is one of the five revered [[panch-paremeshtis]], and thus worthy of worship. The word "Suri" is equivalent to Acharya. An Acharya is the highest leader of a Jain order. He is the final authority in his monastic order and has the authority to ordain new monks and nuns. He is also authorized to consecrete new idols, although this authority is sometimes delegated to scholars designated by him. Some of the famous Jain Acharyas in approximate chronological order, are: * [[Gautam Ganadhara]] * [[Ganahar Sudharma Swami]] * [[Jambu Swami]]<ref>The Lives of the Jain Elders, [[Hemachandra]], Trans. RCC Fynes, Oxford World's Classics, 1998.</ref> * [[Bhadrabahu]] (undivided sangha, [[Chandragupta Maurya]] was his disciple) (325 BCE) *[[Sthulabhadra]] ([[Svetambar|Svetambar tradition]]) *[[Kundakunda]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]) (2nd century CE) * [[Samantabhadra]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]) (3-4 rth century CE) * [[Siddhasen Diwakar]], (claimed by both) (5nd century CE) * [[Manatunga]] composer of [[Bhaktamar Stotra]], (claimed by both) *[[Haribhadra]],([[Svetambar|Svetambar tradition]]), (700-750 CE) *[[Akalanka]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]), (620-680 CE) *[[Virasena]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]), (790-825 CE) *[[Jinasena]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]), preceptor of [[Rashtrakuta]] rulers, (800-880 CE). *[[Nemichandra]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]) *[[Hemachandra]],([[Svetambar|Svetambar tradition]]), preceptor of [[Kumarapala]], (1089–1172 CE) *Jagadguru [[Hira Vijaya Suri]], ([[Svetambar|Svetambar tradition]]), who was invited by [[Akbar]], the Mughal emperor *[[Acharya Rajendrasuri|Rajendrasuri]] ([[Svetambar|Svetambar tradition]])(1827-1906) *[[Shantisagar]], ([[Digambar|Digambar tradition]]) (1872-1955) Modern Jain Acharyas include [[Digambar]] Acharyas [[Acharya Vidyasagar|Vidyasagar]], and [[Vidyanand]] and [[Svetambar]] [[Padma Sagar Suri]], [[Subodhsagar Suri]], [[Yashodev Suri]], and [[Jayantsain Suri]]. In the [[Terapantha]] sub-sect [[Acharya Bhiksu]], Acharya [[Tulsi]] & Acharya [[Mahaprajna]], and in the [[Sthanakvasi]] sub-sect [[Acharya Sushil Kumar]] have been the leading Acharyas. Some sects, for example the [[Terapanthi|Terapanthi Svetambara]]s, have a single Acharya. Others have multiple independent Acharyas. An Acharya, like any other Jain monk, is expected to wander except for the four months of the monsoon (varsha-vas). The [[Bhattaraka]]s, who head institutions, are technically junior monks, who are permitted to stay in the same place. [[Osho]], who was born into a Jain community, was known as [[Acharya Rajneesh]] until 1971. ==References== <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.bhaktamar.com Bhaktamar Stotra - Composed by Acharya Manatunga] *[http://vedabase.net/a/acarya Scriptural References to 'acarya'] *[http://www.jainworld.org/general/prem/Chapter%20VIII%20fe.htm Jain Monks, Statesmen and Aryikas] Dr. K. C. Jain [[Category:Jain Acharyas| ]] [[Category:Education in India]] [[Category:Titles and occupations in Hinduism]] [[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]] [[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]] [[bg:Ачария]] [[es:Acharya]] [[mr:आचार्य]] [[nl:Acharya]] [[pl:Aćarja]] [[pt:Acharya]] [[ru:Ачарья]]