Bhumika (Sanskrit: ??????) is derived from the word, Bh?mi, which means – the earth, soil, ground, land, a site, situation, land, a story, character or part or situation. The word, Bh?mik?, refers to a tablet or board for writing, subject, object or a receptacle, theatrical dress or an actor’s costume, decoration of an image, a preface or introduction to a book.

According to the Sthavirav?da Saravastivada tradition of Buddhism amongst the 49/52 mental factors (Bh?mik?s) are the ten mah?-bh?mik?s which are common to all consciousness are – Vedan? (feeling), Saññ? (perception), Cetan? (volition), Phassa (contact), Chanda (desire to act), Paññ? (wisdom), Sati (mindfulness), Manasik?ra (attention), Adhimokkha (decision), Sam?dhi (mental concentration)or Ekaggata (one-pointedness),

The Upanishads speak about the seven bh?mik?s or jñ?nabh?mis (fields of knowledge) or the seven stages of development of wisdom, and about the four kinds of jivanmuktas. In Chapter IV of the Varah? Upanishad, with regard to the characteristics of jivanmukti, Ribhu tells Nigadha that the first bh?mik? or stage of development is subhechchha or good desires; the second bh?mik? is vich?r?na or inquiry; the third bh?mik? is tanum?nas? or pertaining to the thinned mind; the fourth bh?mik? is sattv?patti or the attainment of sattva; the fifth bh?mik? is asam?akti or non-attachment; the sixth bh?mik? is pad?rthabh?van? or analysis of objects, and the seventh bh?mik? is turiya or the final stage. Nigadha is also told that the bh?mik? which is of the form of pranava is formed of ak?ra, uk?ra, mak?ra and the ardham?tra. The turiya essence of ak?ra embraces the first, second and the third bh?mik?s whose function is called mumukshu; the turiya essence of uk?ra embraces the fourth bh?mik? when the mind is firmly fixed on the non-dual and is called brahmavit; the turiya essence of mak?ra embraces the fifth bh?mik? or sushuptipada (dreamless sleep) and is called brahmavidvara; the turiya essence of ardham?tra embraces the sixth bh?mik? (dreamless state) and is called brahmavidvariya, beyond which is the seventh bh?mik? or gudhasupti and is called brahmavidvarishta when one remains in the secondless state without fear and with his consciousness almost annihilated.

Yajna bhumika is the altar on which Vedic rituals are conducted.