Acharya is a sanskrit term meaning "knowing or reaching the 'achar or rules'; spiritual guide or teacher". The scope of the term is broad and includes teachers and educators at all levels and in all areas. The term Acharya is also affixed as a title to the names of leaned people and spiritual leaders, e.g., Sankaracharya, Anandacharya.

Acharya is considered here in terms of origins, preparations of the teacher and the teacher today and tomorrow.

The earliest Teachers and Teachings, (for Hindus), may be found in the Vedic Sages, (2,000 BCE), and their revelations known as the Vedas. The source of Acharya may be traced to ritualistic teachers of the Brahminic age who guided in the process of self knowledge and knowledge of Brahma. This was a sacred function. The "achar" or rules for this knowledge were imperative and the Acharya played a pivotal role in the transmission of the rules of this knowledge. The Acharya acquired a singular position.

It may be said that with the explosion of disciplines and institutional learning the scope of education and the educator is without limit. Knowledge is man's glorious pursuit and as long as men inquire, the Acharya leads the way and Educators remain indispensable and imperishable.