Bodhimaṇḍa

Bodhimaṇḍa (Sanskrit and Pali) or daochang (traditional Chinese: 道場; ; pinyin: dàochǎng) is a term used in Buddhism meaning the "position of awakening". According to Haribhadra, it is "a place used as a seat, where the essence of enlightenment is present".

The Diamond Throne, bodhimanda of Gautama Buddha

Statue of the bodhisattva Samantabhadra at Mount Emei

Not to be confused with Bodhimaṇḍala.

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