What is "acharya"

n. (given name male from=Sanskrit) commonly used in India.

In Indian religions and society, an acharya ( IAST: ) is a preceptor or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; 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. It is also a Brahmin surname found in Nepal and across India, including Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Acharya is sometimes used to address a teacher or a scholar in any discipline, e.g.: Bhaskaracharya, the mathematician. It is also a common suffix in Brahmin names, e.g.: Krishnamacharya, Bhattacharya. In South India, this suffix is sometimes shortened to Achar, e.g., TKV Desikachar.

Acharya is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.

In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters.

Acharya may also refer to:

• Acharya (Jainism), Head of an order of ascetics
• Acharya (film), an upcoming documentary on A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
• Acharya (moth), a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family
• Acharya Institute of Technology, an Indian educational institution
• Acharya S, pen name for author Dorothy M. Murdock, a proponent of the Christ myth theory
• T. G. Raghavachari, also known as Acharya

Acharya is an upcoming documentary film about A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, scheduled for release in September 2015 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Bhaktivedanta Swami's arrival in the United States. It is directed by Yadubara Das.

Āchārya means the Head of an order of ascetics. Some of the famous achāryas are Bhadrabahu, Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Umaswami.

In Digambara Jainism, Āchārya has thirty-six primary attributes (mūla guņa) consisting in:

• Twelve kinds of austerities (tapas);
• Ten virtues (dasa-lakşaņa dharma);
• Five kinds of observances in regard to faith, knowledge, conduct, austerities, and power.
• Six essential duties (Şadāvaśyaka); and
• Gupti- Controlling the threefold activity of:
  • the body;
  • the organ of speech; and
  • the mind.

According to Jain text, Dravyasamgraha,