Upadeśa


Upadeśa, "teaching," "instruction", 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.