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Unlock This CourseHinduism has no single head and no single leader for all Hindus. Instead it has several kinds of religious leader. The first are the Brahmins. In the varna system you met earlier, Brahmins were the priestly and learned group. Today the word is often used for hereditary priests and scholars, although not every Brahmin is a priest and not every priest is a Brahmin.
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Traditional Brahmin priests train for years. They learn Sanskrit and memorise Vedic hymns, chanting them exactly as they were taught. This way of passing the Vedas on by voice has kept them alive for thousands of years.
In the mandir (the Hindu temple) a priest looks after the murti (the sacred image of a deity), offers the lamp, flowers and food in puja (worship with offerings), and leads the chanting. At home, a priest is invited to lead ceremonies such as the havan, a ritual with a sacred fire.
Why are they important? Many Hindus believe the correct words and actions matter in a ritual, so they trust a trained priest to perform them properly. Priests also link families to the community and to the tradition of the texts.
You have met the guru as a teacher. A guru is a spiritual teacher who guides disciples towards understanding and liberation. The word is often explained as 'one who removes darkness'. A guru is chosen by the disciple and does not have to be a priest or a Brahmin. Some gurus have founded movements. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founded ISKCON in 1966, and Mata Amritanandamayi, known as Amma, is a woman guru with followers around the world.
A swami has taken the vows of sannyasa. As you saw in an earlier lesson, a sannyasi gives up possessions and family ties and often wears saffron robes. Swamis live as monks, teach, meditate and often run schools, hospitals or charities. Shankara's mathas, which you have met, are led by swamis. Some swamis are also gurus, and some gurus are not swamis. Many gurus are married householders.
Families often ask a priest to help choose a name, and to read the baby's horoscope, a chart of the stars at the time of birth. A priest also leads the birth samskaras, the sacred ceremonies that mark the start of life.
Priests teach scripture and meaning in the mandir. A guru teaches a disciple personally, and in diksha may give a mantra for the disciple's daily practice.
Leaders teach by example: living simply, serving others (seva) and keeping to their vows. Many Hindus say a leader's life teaches as much as their words.
Hindus see the importance differently. Some say a guru is essential, and a well-known Sanskrit verse compares the guru to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Others say a person can reach God through their own devotion and need no human teacher, or that the family and its home puja matter more than a priest.
Women. Traditionally priests were men, but today some women train as priests and lead ceremonies, and women are respected as gurus. Some traditionalists object, but many Hindus ask why a woman could not do what a man can.
Gurus and swamis who give up comfort to serve others, and priests who give their lives to learning, can inspire Hindus to live by dharma.
Leaders are human. Some have been criticised for misusing trust or money, so many Hindus say a follower should test a teacher's life and teaching and never follow blindly.
(a) Outline two roles of Brahmins in Hinduism. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why gurus are important for Hindus today. [6 marks]
(c) 'Religious leaders are good role models for Hindus today.' Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion, using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) One role is to perform rituals in the mandir (1), such as leading puja with the lamp, flowers and food offered to the murti (1). A second role is to learn and preserve the sacred texts (1), by memorising and chanting the Vedas exactly so that they are passed on (1).
(b) A guru is important because Hindus believe the path to moksha is hard to follow alone, and a guru who knows it can guide a disciple. The guru gives personal teaching about the scriptures and answers questions, so the texts are understood properly. In diksha the guru may give a mantra for daily practice, which gives the disciple a lasting spiritual link. A guru is also a role model who teaches by example, such as through seva and a simple life. Some gurus found movements, like ISKCON, that give Hindus a community. This is why many Hindus honour their guru very highly (This reaches Level 2: four developed reasons, correct terms, each linked back to importance.)
(c) Plan. For: swamis give up everything to serve, which fits the teaching of seva and dharma; priests and gurus teach by example. Against: leaders are human and some have misused trust, so Hindus are told to test a teacher; some Hindus say God and home worship matter more than any leader. Divergent view: some Hindus see the guru as essential, others do not need one. Conclusion: leaders can be good role models when their lives match their teaching, so Hindus should judge each one by that.
In a 'role' question give two separate roles, each with a development. In a 'discuss' question name the leader types (Brahmin, guru, swami) and show a different Hindu view.