Acharya

In Indian religions and society, an acharya (IAST: ācārya; Sanskrit: आचार्य; Tamil: அசாரி ācāri; Pali: acariya) is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or one who sits of gadi; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men. The designation has different meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and secular contexts.