Acharyas

Acharya is a title from Sanskrit (ācārya) meaning teacher, preceptor, or guide. The term conveys more than scholarly knowledge; it implies a model of conduct and wisdom who transmits tradition and ethics to students and disciples. In Indian religious traditions, an acharya is entrusted with upholding and conveying teachings, interpreting scriptures, and guiding initiation and practice.

In Hinduism, acharyas are central to the guru–shishya parampara, the lineage of teacher and student through which spiritual knowledge is preserved. They often lead religious institutions called mathas or monastic centers and serve as lineage holders within a philosophical or sectarian tradition. Prominent Hindu acharyas include figures associated with major schools of Vedanta, such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, and Madhvacharya, who are credited with founding or consolidating notable philosophical systems. In many lineages, the head of a matha holds the title Shankaracharya, a tradition linked to Adi Shankaracharya and the four cardinal mathas established to sustain diverse spiritual lineages: Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri, and Jyotir Mitha.

In Jainism, acharya denotes the head of a mendicant order and the spiritual guide for monks and nuns. Jain acharyas oversee monastic discipline, scriptural study, and the dissemination of Jain doctrine, and they play a key role in maintaining the monastic and educational structures of their communities. The title is similarly used in broader Indian religious contexts to recognize senior teachers and authors who shape practice and interpretation.

Today, acharyas can be found across Hindu and Jain institutions, in academic, monastic, and reform settings, where they are respected as custodians of tradition, teachers of scripture, and mentors for adherents. The exact role and authority of an acharya vary by tradition, region, and institution.