The Indian word “guru” means “heavy” in Sanskrit, reflecting an understanding from the Indian society of Buddha’s time, in which the guru figure was an authority or a father figure. Buddha challenged this understanding by undercutting the role of a teacher as an authority figure and by refusing to present himself as such an authority.... Read more »
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View all episodesBy Bob Thurman : Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, President of Tibet House US and American Institute of Buddhist Studies
A Guru: A Boss Or A Friend? – Ep 60
The Indian word “guru” means “heavy” in Sanskrit, reflecting an understanding from the Indian society of Buddha’s time, in which the guru figure was an authority or a father figure. Buddha challenged this understanding by undercutting the role of a teacher as an authority figure and by refusing to present himself as such an authority.... Read more »