Re: A matter of synonyms?

From the Bhakti List Archives

• August 8, 1999


On Sun, 8 Aug 1999, sudarshan madabushi wrote:

> Is there a difference between "guru" and "AchAryA"?

It had been explained to me that a guru is one who teaches deliberately
and primarily by instruction, while an acharya teaches by instruction and
example.  You might say, to borrow theological terms, that a guru is an
"efficient cause" of his teachings while an acharya is a "material cause."
A guru lives by his teachings, while an acharya lives his teachings.
	My understanding might not be complete, but I've had no trouble
with this definition thus far.


Peace,

Tom

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