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'''Upadeśa''' (Sanskrit: उपदेश), "teaching," "instruction",<ref name="SD-upadesa">[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+upadesa&direction=AU spokensanskrit.de, ''Upadeza'']</ref> is the spiritual guidance provided by a [[guru]] or spiritual teacher.
==Etymology==
The term ''upadeśa'' has various, related meanings:<ref name="SD-upadesa" />
* "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]]:
{{quote|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.<ref>[http://www.dictionaryofspiritualterms.com/public/Glossaries/terms.aspx?ID=879 Dictionary of Spirirtual Terms, ''upadesa'']</ref>}}
The term can also be used for the Buddhist [[Abhidhamma]] and other religious commentaries.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/topic/upadesa Encyclopedia britannica, ''Upadeśa'']</ref>
==See also==
* [[Upadesasahasri]] - A thousand teachings, a text by [[Adi Shankara]]
* [[Ramana Maharshi]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Hindu education]]
[[Category:Buddhist education]]