Traditional Bhūmikā (Sanskrit: भूमिका) is derived from the word, Bhūmi, meaning earth, soil, ground or character.
The Upanishads speak about the seven bhūmikās or jñānabhūmis (fields of knowledge) or the seven stages of development of wisdom, and about the four kinds of jivanmuktas.
In Chapter IV of the Varahā Upanishad, with regard to the characteristics of jivanmukti, Ribhu informs Nigadha of these seven: Nigadha is also told that the bhūmikā which is of the form of pranava is formed of akāra, ukāra, makāra and the ardhamātra.
[1] In Buddhism, the term bhūmikā refers to a group of 49 to 52 mental factors that are found within the domain of consciousness.
Bhūmikā can also refer 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.