Four continents

Four continents (Wyl. gling bzhi) — the four continents which surround Mount Meru according to the cosmology of the Abhidharma are:

1. Purva Videha (Skt.; Tib. Lüpakpo) in the East, which is semi-circular
2. Jambudvipa (Skt.; Tib. Dzambuling) in the South, which is trapezoidal
3. Aparagodaniya (Skt.; Tib. Balangchö) in the West, which is circular
4. Uttarakura (Skt.; Tib. Draminyen) in the North, which is square

Each of the four continents is flanked by two subcontinents of the same shape (see eight subcontinents).