Guru–shishya tradition

The guru-shishya tradition (also guru-shishya parampara or lineage) is a spiritual relationship found within traditional Hinduism which is centered around the transmission of teachings from a guru (teacher) to a shishya (disciple). The term shishya roughly equates to the western term disciple, and in some parts of India is synonymous with the term chela. In a Hindu context, the term guru signifies one who teaches or imparts knowledge. Such knowledge, whether it be Vedic, Agamic art, architecture, music or spirituality, is imparted through the developing relationship between guru and disciple. The principle of this relationship is that knowledge, especially subtle or advanced knowledge, is best conveyed through a strong human relationship based on ideals of the student's respect, commitment, devotion and obedience, and on personal instruction by which the student eventually masters the knowledge that the guru embodies.

The guru-shishya relationship is a practice which has evolved into a fundamental component of Hinduism, since the beginning of the oral traditions of the Upanishads (c. 2000 BC). The term Upanishad derives from the Sanskrit words upa (near), ni (down) and şad (to sit) — "sitting down near" a spiritual teacher to receive instruction in the guru-shishya tradition. A description of this dynamic can be found embodied in the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita portion of the Upanishads, and between Rama and Hanuman in the Ramayana. In the Upanishads, gurus and shishya appear in a variety of settings (husband answering questions about immortality, a teenage boy being taught by Yama, or Death personified, etc.). Sometimes the sages are women and at times the instructions (or rather inspiration) are sought by kings.

In the Vedas, the brahmavidy or knowledge of Brahman is communicated from guru to shishya by word of mouth, bringing about the traditional guru-shishya parampara, or lineage.

The word Sikh is derived from the Sanskrit word shishya.

Common characteristics of the guru-shishya relationship

Within the broad spectrum of the Hindu religion, the guru-shishya relationship relationship can be found in numerous variant forms. Some common elements in this relationship include:

The establishment of a spiritual teacher/student relationship between the guru and shishya.
A formal recognition of this relationship, which usually assumes the form of a somewhat structured initiation ceremony. In this process the guru both accepts the initiate as a shishya, and also agrees to assume some level of responsibility for the spiritual well-being and progress of the new shishya. During this initiation process a meditation mantra is often taught to the new shishya.
Sometimes this initiation process will also include the teaching of other esoteric wisdom and/or meditation techniques.

Guru-shishya relationship types

Amongst Guru-shishya relationships, there is a certain range of variation of the levels of authority that may be attributed to the guru. This level of authority ranges from the highest levels of authority as most often found in bhakti yoga, such as the Sathya Sai Baba movement, to the lowest levels, as found in the Pranayama forms of yoga such as in the Sankara Saranam movement. Between these two ends of the spectrum there are innumerable variations in degree and form of that authority.

In bhakti yoga

The most well known form of the Guru-shishya relationships is the bhakti guru-shishya relationship. Bhakti (Sanskrit) "Devotion" means surrender to God, gods or guru (sanskrit guru bhakti = devotion to the teacher). Bhakti extends from the simplest expression of devotion to the ego-decimating principle of prapati, which is total surrender. The bhakti form of the guru-shishya relationship generally incorporates three primary beliefs or practices:

Devotion to the guru as a divine figure or avatar
The belief that such a guru has transmitted, or will eventually impart moksha, diksha or shaktiput to the (successful) shishya
The belief that if the shishya’s act of focusing his or her devotion (bhakti) upon the guru is sufficiently strong and worthy, then some form of spiritual merit will be gained by the shishya

Within the bhakti form of the guru-shishya relationship, a certain type of fixed dependency sometimes develops between the guru and the shishya, that may in some ways be similar to the relationship between a parent and a child.

Prapati

In the ego-decimating principle of prapati (Sanskrit, "Throwing oneself down"), the level of the submission of the will of the shishya to the will of the guru is sometimes extreme. It is one of total, unconditional submission to God or guru, often coupled with the attitude of personal helplessness, self-effacement and resignation. This doctrine is perhaps best expressed in the teachings of the four Samayacharya saints, who all shared a profound and mystical love of Siva that included:

deep humility and self-effacement, admission of sin and weakness
total surrender in God as the only true refuge and
a relationship of lover and beloved known as bridal mysticism, in which the devotee is the bride and Siva the bridegroom

In its most extreme form it sometimes includes:

The assignment of all or many of the material possessions of the shishya to the guru
The strict an unconditional adherence by the shishya to all of the commands of the guru
A system of various titles of implied superiority or deification which the guru assumes, and often requires the shishya to use whenever addressing the guru
The requirement that the shishya engage in various forms of physical demonstrations of affection towards the guru, such as bowing, kissing the hands or feet of the guru, and sometimes agreeing to various physical punishments as may sometimes be ordered by the guru
Sometimes the authority of the guru will extend to all aspects of the shishya's life, including sexuality, livelihood, social life, etc.

In exchange for such absolute submission to the direction of the guru, the shishya usually expects the guru to provide the spiritual guidance necessary for the shishya to achieve some sort of meaningful spiritual progress. Often a guru will assert that he or she is capable of leading a shishya directly to the highest possible state of spirituality or consciousness, sometimes referred to within Hinduism as moksha. In the bhakti guru-shishya relationship the guru is often believed to have supernatural powers, which would be consistent with the deification of the guru that is usually a part of this relationship.

Other

Even though bahkti yoga has traditionally been practiced by the large majority of Hindus, a small minority spiritual teachers have for some time advocated non-bahkti forms of the guru-shishya relationship. Amongst these are Lahiri Mahasaya who refused many of the popular devotions proffered to him by those who wished to deify him, and who retained his regular job as a clerk, living as a regular householder, meanwhile being acclaimed as a great spiritual teacher by many of his shishyas. Lahiri also refused to allow his shishyas to organize any kind of a religious institution centered upon himself. Also amongst these is Sankara Saranam, a former shishya of Paramhansa Yogananda, who insists that the guru can only suggest and teach to the shishya. However, it is only the shishya who can accomplish his or her own spiritual advancement via his or her own learned ability to look within.

Some elements that are common to most non-bahkti guru-shishya relationships are:

The guru is self-supporting, and does not accept supporting donations from shishyas
The guru is unwilling to assume responsibility for, or give specific advice regarding the life decisions of the shishya
The guru insists on a fundamental equality with his or her shishyas, and refuses to accept any honorific titles from his or her shishyas

In Buddhism

In the Theravada Buddist tradition, the teacher is a valued and honoured mentor worthy of great respect and a source of inspiration on the path to Enlightenment. In the Tibetan tradition, however, the teacher is viewed as the very root of spiritual realization and the basis of the entire path. Without the teacher, it is asserted, there can be no experience and insight. the guru is to be seen as Buddha. In Tibetan texts, great emphasis is placed upon praising the virtues of the guru. Tantric teachings includes generating visualisations of the guru and making offerings praising the guru. The guru becomes known as the vajra (literaly "diamond") guru, the one who is the source of initiation into the tantric deity. The disciple is asked to enter into a series of vows and commitments that ensure the maintenance of the spiritual link with the understanding that to break this link is a serious downfall.

Psychological aspects

Rob Preece, in The Noble Imperfection, writes that while the teacher/disciple relationship can be an invaluable and fruitful experience, the process of relating to spiritual teachers also has its hazards. These are the result of naiveté amongst Westerners as to the nature of the guru/devotee relationship and the consequence of a lack of understanding on the part of Eastern teachers as to the nature of Western psychological makeup. Preece introduces the notion of transference to explain the manner in which the guru/disciple relationship develops from a more Western psychological perspective. He writes: "In its simplest sense transference occurs when unconsciously a person endows another with an attribute that actually is projected from within themselves." In developing this concept, Preece writes that when we transfer an inner quality onto another person we may be giving that person a power over us as a consequence of the projection, carrying the potential for great insight and inspiration, but also the potential for great danger. "In giving this power over to someone else they have a certain hold and influence over us it is hard to resist, while we become enthralled or spellbound by the power of the archetype".

References

Preece, Rob, "The teacher-student relationship" in The Noble Imperfection: The challenge of individuation in Buddhist life, Mudras Publications

External Links

Comparison of the parent/child relationship to the Guru-shishya relationship. by teacher Michael Barnett
Hinduism Dictionary on Guru bhakti