Grateful2Gurus | Dr. Jeffery D Long

At the heart of India’s civilisational knowledge systems lies the Guru–Śiṣya Paramparā. Through this enduring tradition, philosophy, science, medicine, literature, governance, the arts, and spirituality have been preserved and renewed through living lineages. More than a system of education, it is a way of learning that shapes character, cultivates wisdom, and ensures the continuity of knowledge across generations.

For over a decade, INDICA has celebrated this living tradition by bringing together scholars, practitioners, artists, and seekers to honour those who preserve, embody, and transmit India’s civilisational heritage. Since its inception in 2016, Grateful2Gurus has been the heart of this celebration. Conceived not as an award but as an offering of gratitude, it has grown from intimate felicitations organised by local chapters into one of INDICA’s most cherished annual observances.

Over the years, Grateful2Gurus has honoured more than 154 Gurus representing an extraordinary spectrum of Indian Knowledge Systems, including Veda and Vedānta, Sanskrit, philosophy, archaeology, history, Ayurveda, Yoga, music, dance, temple traditions, literature, linguistics, governance, science, and the performing arts.

Those honoured include internationally acclaimed scholars, traditional Ācāryas, artists, scientists, physicians, and community teachers who have dedicated their lives to preserving and transmitting India’s civilisational heritage. Every felicitation is a public expression of gratitude offered by disciples and the wider community, affirming that knowledge flourishes through the living bond between teacher and disciple.

As part of this celebration, we also invite you to explore our conversation with Dr. Jeffery D Long on A Lifelong Journey into Indic Wisdom With Dr. Jeffery D Long , reflecting on her rich contribution to the study and understanding of India’s linguistic and cultural traditions.

INDICA USA invites you to join us in honoring Dr. Jeffery D Long as part of our #Grateful2Gurus 2026 Honors.

#Grateful2Gurus 2026

Dr. Jeffery D Long

Dr. Jeffery D Long, the Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Studies, specializes in the religions and philosophies of India. He is the author of several books and numerous articles, as well as the editor of the series Explorations in Indic Traditions for Lexington Books. In 2020, he received Elizabethtown College’s Ranck Award for Excellence in Research, and in 2022, his book, Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds, received the Rajinder and Jyoti Gandhi Book Award for Excellence in Theology, Philosophy, and Critical Reflection from the Dharma Academy of North America. He has spoken in numerous venues, both national and international, including Princeton University, Yale University, the University of Chicago, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Delhi University, and has also given three talks at the United Nations.