Bodhimaṇḍa

Bodhimaṇḍa (Sanskrit and Pali) or daochang (traditional Chinese: 道場; ; pinyin: dàochǎng; 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".^[2] 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.^[3]

Bharhut relief with the Vajrasana (similar to the Anagarika Dharmapala photograph with its supporting columns), and the Mahabodhi Temple around the Bodhi Tree (2nd century BCE).^[1]

The Diamond Throne, bodhimanda of Gautama Buddha

In Buddhist cosmology, the 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.^[3]

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