What is the Upadesa Sahasri?

The Upadesa Sahasri, meaning “A Thousand Teachings”, is a work by Adi Shankara. The work explains how a teacher should lead a pupil to knowledge of Brahman.

What does Chapter 1 of the Upadesa Sahasri teach about liberation?

A teacher guides a pupil who longs to escape samsara. Liberation comes through knowledge that the self is Brahman, not through ritual action.

How does Shankara's teaching lead some Hindus not to believe in a personal God?

Shankara taught that a personal God (Ishvara) is Brahman seen through maya. At the highest level, the personal God is not ultimately real.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Hinduism: Philosophy of Religion

Hindu teachings on the non-existence of a personal God

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Adi Shankara and Advaita Vedanta, the Upadesa Sahasri on liberation, Shankara's own devotion to deities, the Charvaka school and others with no creator, Vaishnava replies, and the effects on religious life.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What does it mean for a Hindu to believe in a personal God?

Who and when

Who was Adi Shankara?

Key term

What is Advaita Vedanta's teaching about ultimate reality?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What does it mean for a Hindu to believe in a personal God?
Model answer
A personal God has qualities such as love and will and can relate to people. Many Hindus worship God as personal, such as Krishna or Shiva.
2
Who was Adi Shankara?
Model answer
Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher, usually dated to the eighth century CE. Shankara taught Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual school.
3
What is Advaita Vedanta's teaching about ultimate reality?
Model answer
Advaita teaches that only Brahman is ultimately real, one without a second. Brahman is beyond qualities, including personality.
4
What is the Upadesa Sahasri?
Model answer
The Upadesa Sahasri, meaning “A Thousand Teachings”, is a work by Adi Shankara. The work explains how a teacher should lead a pupil to knowledge of Brahman.
5
What does Chapter 1 of the Upadesa Sahasri teach about liberation?
Model answer
A teacher guides a pupil who longs to escape samsara. Liberation comes through knowledge that the self is Brahman, not through ritual action.
6
How does Shankara's teaching lead some Hindus not to believe in a personal God?
Model answer
Shankara taught that a personal God (Ishvara) is Brahman seen through maya. At the highest level, the personal God is not ultimately real.

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