Friend starts to deny having affection for enlightened teacher (6)
I believe the answer is:
buddha
'enlightened teacher' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'friend starts to deny having affection' is the wordplay.
'friend' becomes 'bud' (shortly for buddy).
'starts to' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'deny having affection' is 'dha'.
'bud'+'dha'='BUDDHA'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for buddha that I've seen before include "Founder of Asian religion 5th century BC" , "Philosopher who achieved enlightenment through meditation" , "Religious figure who gained full enlightenment" , "God" , "Holy man of Indian religion" .)