Upadesa

Upadeśa (Sanskrit: उपदेश), "teaching," "instruction",^[1] is the spiritual guidance provided by a guru or spiritual teacher.

Etymology

The term upadeśa has various, related meanings:^[1]

• "information," "clarification," "specification"
• "preaching," "prescription"
• "instruction," "guidance," "pointing out to"
• "initiation," "communication of the initiatory mantra or formula"

Spiritual guidance

In Indian religions, both Hinduism and Buddhism, upadeśa is the spiritual instruction and example provided by the guru:

The guru does not merely ask his disciple to perform a task; he helps him by remaining by his side and directing him, indeed remaining close to his heart and showing the pupil the path he must follow in this life.^[2]

The term can also be used for the Buddhist Abhidhamma and other religious commentaries.^[3]

See also

• Upadesasahasri - A thousand teachings, a text by Adi Shankara
• Ramana Maharshi

References