ABSTRACT
The figure of the guru has shown itself to be one of the most enigmatic features of the Hindu religious world, originating from the Indian context. Recent literature places them in the context of their multiple roles in South Asian society more generally. Guru-led movements' visions of society stem from the doctrine of 'belonging'; that the real practical world belongs to the Absolute and the ethereal. They innovatively reconfigure the social space, discursively shaping community notions coalesced around sets of faith-oriented lenses and resonating differentially in a complex network of 'public spheres'. Guru-led movements have peculiar views on deontological and teleological ethics. Guru-led movements' stance on social action emerges from a distinctively indigenous cosmovision and cosmology. The Art of Living-defined social action has the following qualifications: spiritualised, dialogic, devotional and dispassionate. Faith manifests in practice in guru-led movements through tangible social service.
