Jambudvipa is the dvipa
Jambudvipa is the dvipa ("island" or "continent") of the terrestrial world, as envisioned in the cosmologies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, which is the realm where ordinary human beings live. Although the description given below does not go with the Jainism description of Jambudvipa and its surroundings, the word Jambudvipa holds a very important place in Jain Cosmology, and has a different architecture.
There is a sacred mountain named Mount Meru in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. This mountain is considered to be the centre of all physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Mount Meru is surrounded by seven rings of golden mountains, each separated from the other by one of seven circular oceans. At the top of the mountain is a golden palace where Lord Brahma, the king of the Hindu gods, is said to reside. This entire structure rises from an outer ocean and is flanked by four main continents.
The southern continent, named Jambudvipa, corresponds to the physical Earth. Since this continent is said to contain a giant Jambu 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). On this continent, the Jambu fruits are the size of elephants and when ripe, fall and break open on the crest of the mountains, the juice flowing to create a Jambu river. The inhabitants drink this juice and are said to experience optimum health and longevity.
The clay on the banks of the river becomes soaked with Jambu juice and is changed into gold under the action of the sun and wind. Goddesses from other realms are known to wear jewels made of this gold.
Jambudvipa is the only place where humans exist and the only place that enlightenment can be reached. In the legend, somewhere in the northwest region of Jambudvipa lies Shambhala—a magical land which is shaped like an eight-petalled lotus flower. Shambhala is thought to form a gateway between the physical and spiritual realms. In Buddhism, existence as a human being is the only way to achieve enlightenment (being born as a god is seen as a distraction!).
Jambudvipa is the only place where humans exist and therefore the only place that enlightenment can be reached. Therefore, only human beings in our world (Jambudvipa) can achieve this ultimate freedom through our journey to Shambhala.
