Re: Gurus
Namaste Liang,
Originally Posted by
Liang Ch'an
I have a few questions on Gurus in Hinduism. How does one achieve recognition as a guru? Is there a formal inheritance or passing of authority from a guru to a student of his lineage? In Buddhism there is dharma transmission where a master officially recognizes a student of being worthy of teaching and this lineage supposedly can always be traced back to the Buddha. In some places I have read that you can a non-physical guru, ie a spiritual presence or God be your guru directly. Can anyone elaborate on that? Do some Gurus then declare their authority directly from such a source rather than a previous guru?
"Guru" is that who drives away the darkness of ignorance. This can be done by Only that who has come out of darkness Himself, i.e. only that person can be a Guru who has attained God-realisation (in duality) or Self-realisation (in Non-duality). Why is it so ? This is because the person claiming to lead me must know the "way" himself correctly ... otherwise how can he show me the way that he himself doesn't know ? Only that person who fulfills this criteria can be a Guru. Now, on Self-realisation a person becomes identified with Brahman or on God-realisation a person feels non-difference from God. So, such a Guru is the Self himself or God himself.Differentiating between God and Guru even a bit is considered a grave mistake. The scriptures say :
"GururBrahmA, GururVishnu, GururdevoMaheshwarah,
Gurureva Parbrahman, tasmai shree Gurawe namah !"
===> Guru is BrahmA, Guru is Vishnu and Guru himself is Maheshwara (Lord Shiva). Guru is Parbrahman alone. I bow to that Shree Guru !
Gurus also seem to be very very high esteem. In one description it even says that like God in human form to those that undertake his tutelage. In Tibetain traditions, there is a deep devotion to the guru as well and a near absolute submission to the Guru's guidance for ones path. In my own experience, there is an emphasis on a teacher being a companion in the journey who can show you the way but you must walk it and you alone are the authority in your understandings. What are you experiences with gurus?
We should not acquire Guru for our guidance in a hurry. The relationship between Guru and his disciple is an agreement of friendship for eternity. So, we must be careful when it comes to selecting our Guru. There are so many frauds claiming to be Gurus but they are merely slaves of flesh. They are themselves in darkness even though they may be expert in giving lectures on lofty ideas of VedAnta. If you ask my views on this I would say this :
a) It is extremely difficult to be a Guru without coming from a reputed lineage of Gurus. It is not impossible but it is certainly difficult. So, we must first check from what lineage of Guru order he come from.
b) Guru must be free from all attachments of worldly comforts and have no lust towards money,fame or anxiety for care/comforts of his body.
c) He must be at peace in all circumstances, at least, within himself.
d) He can be able to sit in position of meditation for long without any discomfort.
e) He should not strive for accumulating wealth for his own comforts.
f) There is no need that Guru should be in his physical body.
OM
Last edited by satay; 30 January 2016 at 06:44 PM.
"Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"
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