Jump to content

Upadeśa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Etymology

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

References

[edit]