Gawande Lecture explores potential dangers within guru-disciple relationships

While sexual harassment accusations dominate headlines in the United States, similar instances of abuse are making news within Hinduism’s guru culture.

Amanda Lucia, associate professor of religious studies at University of California, Riverside, explored this topic with the Ohio University community during her lecture, “Touching God: Charisma, Proxemic Desire, and the Haptic Logics of the Guru Disciple Relationships,” on Thursday, Feb. 8, as part of OHIO’s biannual Gawande Lecture Series.

Lucia, who specializes in Hindu guru-disciple relationships, spoke at the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies conference room on Court Street about her decades of research on the connection between Indian gurus and their devoted followers, called devotees.

“Her work intersects both Hinduism and gender sexuality studies, so a lot of people can get something out of this,” said Brian Collins, the Drs. Ram and Sushila Gawande Chair in Indian Religion and Philosophy and creator of the Gawande Lecture Series.

Gurus have been an important part of Indian culture for centuries, Lucia explained. They act as spiritual guides or teachers to their followers, leading them closer to sacred gods, goddesses and other objects worshipped by their religion.

Devotees believe the guru a connection to the sacred, which then cultivates a powerful desire to be physically close to the guru.

“Within a variety of guru movements, devotees believe the guru’s power radiates out from his or her physical body,” Lucia said. “I argue that this belief governs a particular form of power relations that’s endemic to the guru-disciple relationship. Devotees discipline themselves in order to attain the closest proximity to the guru.”

This desire to be physically connected with the guru can be problematic, Lucia said. Gurus are well aware of their devotees need for physical touch, which can lead to abuse of power.

“There is supposed to be love and contact between the guru and disciple. In this ideal framing of the relationship, gurus cultivate loving, paternal attitudes toward devotees, and devotees reciprocate with love for union with God,” she said. “But among ex-devotees in particular, there are many accounts of this pure love turning into carnal love.”

According to Lucia, when gurus go so far as to sexually abuse devotees, there is social pressure to accept the abuse as a blessing. Gurus’ culpability is therefore diminished due to their sacred nature.

“These haptic logics that inform the guru-disciple relationship often serve to effectively silence victims. But even when victims do make their grievances known, fellow devotees are more likely to excuse the guru’s behavior than condemn it,” she said. “Ironically, the social transgressions, including sexual transgressions, demonstrate exalted status as living beyond conventions.”

Jade Thompson, a sophomore studying forensic chemistry, was among the more than 20 students and faculty who attended the lecture.

“It was very interesting. I never knew this was an issue in India,” Thompson said. “I can’t believe that a person can get so much power to have all these people wanting to be all over them.”

The Gawande Lecture Series is a successful, five-year program that attracts scholars specializing in Indian studies. Read more on ohiotoday.org about how these lectures engage OHIO students and staff in meaningful conversation about Indian history, philosophy and religion.