Jambudvipa

A representation of our world system with Jambudvipa pictured at the bottom centre of the image.

Jambudvipa (Skt. Jambudvīpa; Tib. འཛམ་བུའི་གླིང་, Dzambuling, Wyl. ‘dzam bu gling) — one of the four continents, which is situated to the south of Mount Meru. Its shape is trapezoidal or resembling the shape of an axe-head. It is the human world in which we live.

“Since this continent is adorned by [a jambu/Jambubriksha] tree, it is known as the 'Continent of Jambu', or Jambudvipa. The jambu tree is presumed by some to be the rose-apple tree (Eugenia jambolana). More recent scholarship suggests that it may be a variety of plum. However, legend says that only one jambu tree exists, which is not visible to ordinary persons but only to enlightened beings.”

Alternative Translations

• the Rose-Apple Continent
• Continent/Island of Jambu

Further Reading

• Jamgön Kongtrul, Myriad Worlds (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1995), pages 112-113 & 131-134, ISBN 978-1559391887