The Guru-Disciple Relationship in Diaspora
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The Guru-Disciple Relationship in Diaspora Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors Shridhar, Paras Publisher University of Derby Download date 02/10/2021 19:33:36 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10545/559581 The Guru-Disciple Relationship in Diaspora Paras Shridhar Doctor in Ministry and Care 2005 2 Certificate Of Partial Fulfilment Of Derby University Regulations Submitted in partial fulfilment of requirement for the Award of Doctor In Ministry and Care of the University Of Derby. Signed: Date: 3 The Certificate Of Originality No portion of the study that is referred to herein other than that which is acknowledged, has been submitted in support of an application of another degree or qualification, of this or any other university or institution of learning. The study is the work of the writer except as specified in acknowledgement, references and in the footnotes. 4 Acknowledgements My profound thanks go to my tutor and guide Rev David Hart for his constant encouragement in all aspects of this study and to Rev Brian Hawker for his constructive inputs in the field of developmental psychology. Acknowledgement is due to Antony Copley for making his special resources available on the subject and for his suggestions regarding some topics of mutual interest that helped me greatly in completing the study. I would like to give thanks to the Religious Studies staff of Derby University and to the Learning Centre for their help. The discussions with fellow students were useful to spur me on to work harder. I would like to thank Dr Eleanor Jackson for her constructive suggestions that helped to redirect the study properly. I am very grateful to Mr Phil Henry of Derby University whose incisive expertise in research methodology has been instrumental in making my disjointed study into a coherent whole. I would like to thank the interviewees for granting me an opportunity to obtain information about their experiences with gurus. I am very grateful to Dr Rajan Beri, my son-in-law, for placing the computer hardware at my disposal and to my daughter Suman for her help in coping with the demands of high technology. Without my son Sanjiv’s help it would not have been possible to complete this study. I must thank my granddaughter Sonia for her help in making this study presentable. The last but not the least I must thank my wife Raksha for her encouragement to complete the study and the Geeta Bhavan community for their interest in the work. 5 Glossary of terms 1.Acharya – Teacher. 2. Adi-guru – Founder guru 3. Advaita Sidhanta – The principle of non-duality 4. Ahimsa – Non violent 5.Ananda – Bliss 6. Archana – Worship 7. Anushan – Small chapter 8. Arpan – Offering 9. Arti – The final act of Hindu worship 10. Asana – A seat 11. Ashram – A place where sadhna is carried out 12. Atman – Soul 13. Arti – The final act of worship 14. Avtara – Incarnation 15. Babaji – Aterm of respect for the elderly 16. Bandhu – A relative or friend 17. Bhakti – Devotion 18. Bhandara – The large kitchen used for distribution of food 19. Bhaktivedanta – Name of Prabhupada Swami 20. Bhashiya – A commentary 21. Brahaspati – The priest of Gods 22. Brahmacharya – Student period in ancient India 23. Bhuddi – Intellect 24. Chela – Disciple 25. Chakra – A centre in Yoga 26. Dakshina – A fee or donation to the priest 27 Darshanas – Formal audiences 28 Diksha – Initiation 29. Dhama – One of the four beneficial acts (purusharthas) 30. Deva – A shining God. 31. Devi – Goddess 32. Dhyana – Meditation 33. Guru – The remover of ignorance 34 Guru dakshina – Last offering to the guru before ending discipleship 35 Guru kulas – Schools run by the gurus in later period of history 36. Guru pooranma – A formal occasion of guru worship 37.Gaudiya tradition – Devotional tradition from Bengal 38. Gaiyatri – The famous Hindu mantra 39. Gomukha – A musical instrument shaped like cow’s face 40. Hare – Victory 6 41. Hatha – Yoga of physical postures 42. Hindutva – Concept of Fundamentalism in Hinduism 43. Havana – Fire alter 44.Ishatadevta – The favoured God 45. Ishavera – God 46. Jagna – Fire offerings to the God or Gods 47. Japa – Repetition of mantra 48. JNANA – Knowledge 49. Jaggannatha – Temple of Vishnu at Puri 50.Juga – Age 51. Jivan mukta – A Liberated soul 52. Karma – Action 53 Kala – The time or God of Death 54. Kali – Black Goddess in a temple at Calcutta 55. Karma marga – The path of action leading to union with God 56. Kirtana – Hymns of praise addressed to a deity 57. Kriya – A yoga advocated by Shakti peeth gurus 58. Lila – God’s play 59. Lilaprasangha - Autobiography of Ramakrisna by Sardananda Swami 60. Luxmi – Goddess of Wealth 61. Mata – Mother 62. Manusmriti – Law book by Manu 63. Mahan – Great 64. Mahan mantra – Important mantra 65. Maharishi – Great rishi 66. Marga – The path 67. Mahatma – A sage 68. Mukti – Salvation 69. Moli – Amulticoloured thread 70. Narad Bhakti – Devotion attributed to Narada rishi 71 Osho – Rajneesh’s last name before his death 72.Parampara – Tradition 73. Paramartha – Four great benefits 74. Parishad – An organisation 75. Pir- Persian name for a guru 76. Pita –The father 77. Pooja – worship 78. Prabha – A chapter 79. Prabhu – God 80. Puranic – Belonging to the Puranas ie Hindu scriptures 81. Puttaparthi – Pilgrim place associated with Sai Baba 82. Ratha - Chariot 7 83. Rajneeshpura – The ranch bought by Rajneesh in USA 84. Rajdhani - Capital 85. Rishis – Saints 85.Rta – The cosmic principle of order 86.Sadhak –Renunciaet 87.Samaskara – The rite of the passage 88.Sadhana - The path leading to spirituality 89. Sakha - Friend 90.Samadhi – A trance or vision 91.Sangha – An organisation 92.Sansara – The created world 93.Sanyasins- Renunciates 94.Sarees- A garment ladies wear 95.Sri- An address showing respect 96.Sudra - Belonging to the 3rd cast in Hinduism 97.Swami - The master 98.Suddhi - Purification 99. Tantra - A system of philosophy. 100.Taraka - Arguments 101.Tilak - A red or yellow mark on the forehead 102.Tumhi - You are 103.Upadhis - Positions 104.Upanayana - Initiation ceremony 105.Vaidya - Ayurvedic practionar 106.Vaishnusva - The followers or lord Vishnu 107.Vibhuti - Ash 108.Vishva - The world 109.Vrindavana - A forest associated with Lord Krishna 110.Vyasadeva - Name of an ancient Rishi who composed the Vedas. 111.Yatra - A journey 112.Yogis- Practioners of yoga 113.Yuga - Age 8 Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………….12 Chapter 1: Unwanted Strangers?..............................................................13 1.1 Introduction 13 1.2 Setting the scene: explaining the content 14 1.3 Working definition of the guru 16 1.4 The plight of migrants 19 1.5 The need for a guru 21 1.6 Modern gurus 21 1.7 Transformation in community relations in Leicester 22 1.8 Hindu worldview 23 Chapter 2: LiteratureReview………………………………………… 26 2.1 Introduction 26 2.2 Spiritual validation of the guru disciple relationship 29 2.3 The Trika tradition: A Tantric system of yoga 30 2.4 J S Neki's paradigm 34 2.5 Spirituality the aim of a relationship 36 2.6 The qualities of an authentic guru 38 2.7 Expectations of the guru 41 2.8 Gurus of the Holy Madness tradition 42 2.9 Mishandling disciples' trust 44 2.10 Gurus with the welfare of their disciples in mind 46 2.11 Summary 47 Chapter 3: Methodology………………………………………………. 49 3.1 Introduction 49 3.2 Self reflexivity - Insider? Outsider? 51 3.3 Research strategy and approach 55 3.4 Research respondents 58 3.5 Semi-structured interviews 59 3.6 Data and analysis 62 3.7 Social implications of the study 63 3.8 Validity and authenticity 65 3.9 Suitable criteria 67 Chapter 4: Psychotherapy, Spirituality and Pastoral Care…………….. 68 4.1 Introduction 68 4.2 Some assumptions 68 4.3 Are gurus good persons in society? 71 4.4 Psychotherapy and Anglo Saxon values 71 4.5 Mystic experiences 73 4.6 Psychotherapists and gurus 74 4.7 Mediators between psychotherapy and spirituality 75 4.8 Transpersonal psychotherapy 78 4.9 Summary 79 Chapter 5: Modern gurus under the Microscope………………………. 80 5.1 Introduction 80 5.2 Lack of central authority 80 5.3 Leading gurus and their influence 81 9 5.4 Krishnamurti (1895 - 1986) 82 5.4.1 Influence 86 5.5 Rajneesh/Osho (1931 - 1990) 87 5.5.1 Influence 91 5.6 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896 - 1977) 92 5.6.1 Influence 96 5.7 Sathya Sai Baba (b. 1926) 97 5.7.1 Influence 101 5.8 Summary 102 Chapter 6: Engagement with Research Subjects………………………104 Part One: Results of Quantitative Questions 104 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Summary of data collected 105 6.2.1 Demographics 106 6.3 Interviewees and the postal respondent 112 Part Two: Qualitative Research Discussion 113 6.4 Gurus diaspora 113 6.5 Early religious instructions 119 6.6 Spiritual development 122 6.7 Initiation 124 6.8 Exploitation financially or emotionally 127 6.9 Surrender 129 6.9.1 Power relationships and surrender 131 6.10 Monitoring spiritual development 132 6.11 Obstacles to social change 134 6.12 Goal of meditation: Samadhi 135 Part Three: Interview with the Guru 137 6.13 Encounter with a guru 137 Chapter 7: Reseach Analysis and Conclusion…………………………142 7.1 Introduction 142 7.2 Formative years 143 7.3 Changes in lifestyle after initiation 144 7.4 Freedom of choice and complete surrender 145 7.5 Personal contact and monitoring spiritual development 146 7.6 Gurus and social change 147 7.7 Changed guru praxis in diaspora 148 7.8 Authenticity of the guru principle 149 7.9 Conclusions 150 7.9.1 Closing remarks 157 Bibliography………………………………………………………… 159 Appendix 1.