"The Master" and it's not Master Gracey!

[siouxi31]

My daughter starting babysitting tonight for a 4 year old girl. About 20 minutes into it she called and begged for me to come over because she was scared (obviously this will be the first/last babysitting job). I had not been in this neighbor's house before. When my daughter let me in, I was curious to see these pictures of the same man all over the house (yes, I was all over the house while the little girl showed me around). I asked her if the pictures were of her grandfather and she told me "No. That's The Master!". I asked her what the master does and she just told me that she didn't know, he's just THE MASTER! The photos are black/white, he has a turban on and a beard. I think they're Indian but I'm not certain. My guess is that he's some sort of Swami but I don't know anything about Swami's either. Is this religious and if so are there several religions where each has their own Master? I've heard of there being Masters for child labor in India (what can I say, I'm in the retail import business and we keep up on this kind of stuff), but I don't think he's that type of Master.
I'm sure someone will read this and think I'm culturally ignorant, and I guess I am because I'm asking this question, but what is The Master?
By the way, I did have thoughts of sneaking out a picture, scanning it, and returning but that would be a form of theft so I put it out of my mind. If nobody knows who this guy is, I'll just ask the parents when they get home but I'll only ask if the opportunity is right.

 

[Beth76]

I have no idea, but what was your daughter scared about? The guy in the pictures or something else?

 

[siouxi31]

Yes, she was scared because of the pictures all over the place. It was creeping her out. Although we live in the United Nations of neighborhoods (we have several nationalities here), she never ran into anything like this so it spooked her.

 

[Beth76]

Maybe your daughter could ask the neighbors. She could very casually ask, "Hey who's this guy in all the pictures? Is he a relative or something?" I don't think they could possibly be offended.

 

[Barb D]

Are they Sikhs? (Does the father wear a turban?)



http://www.sikhs.org/ya2.htm
"Guru Nanak, the First Sikh Master, was born in 1469 in Punjab, India. He protested against the widespread social injustice, arguments and fights over religious labels, superstition and empty rituals being promoted as religion, and false display of piety. He urged everyone to have a true and ongoing inner relationship with our Father. This is everyone's birthright as well as a necessity. He called for pure intentions, a sincere and heartfelt devotion towards God, selfless service of God in others, generosity, and truthful living while earning an honest livelihood. There is no need to become a recluse, either. It is possible to become a perfect Saint while living in the society. This is true religion. This is the aim of a Sikh's life. Two hundred years later, the Tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh, finalized the spiritual rules of this social order established by Guru Nanak. "

 

[siouxi31]

The father doesn't wear a turban. It turns out my daughter will babysit again since the little girl really liked her and in the end everything was fine. She was just uncomfortable being out of her element. I'm sure I'll get to know these people better and when the time is right I'll ask them who The Master is. I can't wait to find out.