Bhūmikā (Sanskrit: भूमिका) is derived from the word,Bhūmi, meaningearth,soil,ground orcharacter. In theUpanishads, theBhumikas are seven stages in the development of wisdom.
TheUpanishads speak about the sevenbhūmikās orjñānabhūmis (fields of knowledge) or the seven stages of development of wisdom, and about the four kinds ofjivanmuktas. In Chapter IV of the VarahāUpanishad, with regard to the characteristics ofjivanmukti,Ribhu informs Nigadha of these seven:
Nigadha is also told that the bhūmikā which is of the form ofpranava is formed ofakāra,ukāra,makāra and theardhamātra.
Theturiya essence ofakāra embraces the first, second and the thirdbhūmikās whose function is calledmumukshu; theturiya essence ofukāra embraces the fourth bhūmikā when the mind is firmly fixed on the non-dual and is calledbrahmavit; theturiya essence ofmakāra embraces the fifthbhūmikā orsushuptipada (dreamless sleep) and is calledbrahmavidvara; theturiya essence ofardhamātra embraces the sixthbhūmikā (dreamless state) and is calledbrahmavidvariya, beyond which is the seventhbhūmikā orgudhasupti and is calledbrahmavidvarishta when one remains in the secondless state without fear and with his consciousness almost annihilated.[1]
In Buddhism, the termbhūmikā refers to a group of 49 to 52 mental factors that are found within the domain of consciousness. It is primarily used in theMahāvibhāṣa and theAbhidharmakośa of theSarvāstivāda school.
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.[2]
Theyajña bhūmikā is the altar on which Vedic rituals are conducted.
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