Bhūmikā (

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

: भूमिका) is derived from the word, ''Bhūmi'', meaning ''earth'', ''soil'', ''ground'' or ''character''. In the

Upanishads The Upanishads (; , , ) are late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit texts that "document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions" and the emergence of the central religious concepts of Hind ...

, the ''Bhumikas'' are seven stages in the development of wisdom.

Hinduism

The

speak about the seven ''bhūmikās'' or ''jñānabhūmis'' (fields of knowledge) or the seven stages of development of wisdom, and about the four kinds of ''jivanmuktas''. In Chapter IV of the Varahā

Upanishad The Upanishads (; , , ) are late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit texts that "document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions" and the emergence of the central religious concepts of Hind ...

, with regard to the characteristics of ''jivanmukti'', Ribhu informs Nigadha of these seven: *''Subheccha'' or good desires *''Vichārāna'' or inquiry *'' tanumānasī'' or pertaining to the thinned mind *''Sattvāpatti'' or the attainment of ''sattva'' *''Asamśakti'' or non-attachment *''Padārthabhāvanā'' or analysis of objects *'' Turiya '' or the final stage. Nigadha is also told that the bhūmikā which is of the form of '' pranava'' is formed of ''akāra'', ''ukāra'', ''makāra'' and the ''ardhamātra''. The ''turiya'' essence of ''akāra'' embraces the first, second and the third ''bhūmikās'' whose function is called ''mumukshu''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''ukāra'' embraces the fourth bhūmikā when the mind is firmly fixed on the non-dual and is called ''brahmavit''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''makāra'' embraces the fifth ''bhūmikā'' or ''sushuptipada'' (dreamless sleep) and is called ''brahmavidvara''; the ''turiya'' essence of ''ardhamātra'' embraces the sixth ''bhūmikā'' (dreamless state) and is called ''brahmavidvariya'', beyond which is the seventh ''bhūmikā'' or ''gudhasupti'' and is called ''brahmavidvarishta'' when one remains in the secondless state without fear and with his consciousness almost annihilated.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, the term ''bhūmikā'' refers to a group of 49 to 52 mental factors that are found within the domain of consciousness. It is primarily used in the '' Mahāvibhāṣa'' and the '' Abhidharmakośa'' of the Sarvāstivāda school.

Alternate definitions

''Bhūmikā'' can also refer to a tablet or board for writing, subject, object or a receptacle, theatrical dress or an actor's costume, decoration of an image, a preface or introduction to a book. The ''yajña bhūmikā'' is the altar on which Vedic rituals are conducted.

References

Hindu philosophical concepts Sanskrit words and phrases Upanishadic concepts Vedas {{Hindu-philo-stub