Jambuda

Jambuda is a term primarily found in Buddhist and Jain cosmology, referring to one of the continents or regions of Jambudvipa, the continent where humans are believed to reside.

Jambudvipa is often described as the southernmost of the continents surrounding Mount Meru, a sacred mountain considered to be the axis of the universe. Jambuda itself may be considered a sub-region or a descriptive name for the whole of Jambudvipa. The name "Jambuda" is derived from the jambu tree (Syzygium cumini, also known as the Java plum or black plum), which is said to be abundant in the region.

In these cosmologies, Jambudvipa, and by extension Jambuda, is characterized by specific geographical features, ethical landscapes, and the presence of enlightened beings. Descriptions often vary slightly between Buddhist and Jain texts, but the core concept of Jambuda as the human-inhabited continent associated with the jambu tree remains consistent.