Bodhimaṇḍa (Sanskrit and Pali) or daochang (; J. dōjō; T. byang chub snying po) is a term used in Buddhism meaning the "seat of awakening" or "platform of enlightenment". According to Haribhadra, it is "a place used as a seat, where the essence of enlightenment is present". In our world, this refers to the specific spot in Bodh Gaya under the bodhi tree, where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, but technically, it can be used to refer to the place of awakening of any Buddha or bodhisattva.Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, p. 132. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.
In Buddhist cosmology, the Buddha's bodhimaṇḍa is also said to be the center or navel of the world, i.e. an axis mundi which connects the divine and profane worlds.
Regarding the bodhimaṇḍas of various bodhisattvas, they are said to be located in various places throughout Asia and have become places of pilgrimage for Mahayana Buddhists and numerous temples and monasteries have grown around them. One Indian example is Mount Potalaka, a sacred mountain in India, traditionally held to be Avalokiteśvara's bodhimaṇḍa.
In Chinese Buddhism, there are four mountains that are regarded as bodhisattva bodhimaṇḍas. These four sacred places are:Jan, Yün-Hua (1981). "The Bodhisattva Idea in Chinese Literature: Typology and Significance". In Kawamura, Leslie S. (ed.). The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhism. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 139.
Mount Putuo for Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara), the bodhisattva of Compassion () Mount Emei for Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva of practice () Mount Wutai for Mañjuśrī, the bodhisattva of wisdom () Mount Jiuhua for Kṣitigarbha, the bodhisattva of the great vow ()
Bodhimaṇḍas are regularly visited by Buddhist pilgrims, and some have gone on to become popular secular tourist destinations as well. In many forms of Buddhism, it is believed that bodhimaṇḍas are spiritually pure places, or otherwise conducive to meditation and enlightenment.
Famous bodhimaṇḍas in India The Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya: Gautama Buddha Mount Potalaka: Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
Famous bodhimaṇḍas in China Mount Putuo: Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mount Emei: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mount Wutai: Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva Mount Jiuhua: Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva
See also Dojo and dojang, two types of buildings whose names are written with the same Chinese characters used for daochang
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