Upadeśa (Sanskrit: उपदेश), "teaching," "instruction",[1] is the spiritual guidance provided by a guru or spiritual teacher.
The term upadeśa has various, related meanings:[1]
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]