Upadeśa Explained

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:

• "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 term can also be used for the Buddhist Abhidhamma and other religious commentaries.^[2]

See also

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

Notes and References

1. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+upadesa&direction=AU spokensanskrit.de, Upadeza
2. http://www.britannica.com/topic/upadesa Encyclopedia britannica, Upadeśa