The number 108 contains some very unique and deep significance across a great many cultures, spiritual practices, and religions. Quite often referred to as a sacred number, it holds deep spiritual meanings and is looked upon as a powerful connection with the cosmos. The number 108 has served as a symbolic bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, from ancient scriptures down to modern spiritual practices.
In this blog, we explore the many sides of 108 as a significant number across traditions and discuss some reasons why this number continues to intrigue people to this day.
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Key Takeaways
- 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, symbolizing cosmic order, spiritual completeness, and liberation.
- In yoga and meditation, the number is used to focus the mind and connect with the universe, often through practices like mala beads and sun salutations.
- Mathematically, 108 is a Harshad number, and its cosmic significance is highlighted by the ratios between the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
- The number 108 appears across cultures, from martial arts and rituals to collective ceremonies, representing unity, spiritual growth, and mastery.
The Spiritual Significance of 108
1. Hinduism: A Cosmic Connection
The number 108 has quite a few cosmic and spiritual properties, hence being considered sacred in Hinduism. First of all, there exist 108 Upanishads, each one being an ancient discourse on reality, consciousness, and spirituality, making up the foundational texts of Hindu philosophy as a way of seeking deeper spiritual realization with humanity and its interaction within the universe.
The names of the Hindu deities are also repetitive, with 108 names that show right away the different attributes and qualities of the divine. It, in fact, suggests that 108 is a complete number and encompasses the gamut of existence in their entirety. Its significance extends in Vedic astrology, where there are 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets. Multiplying these (12 x 9) gives 108, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
Another symbolic explanation for 108 can be seen in the Sudarshana Chakra, a powerful vehicle associated with Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. This Chakra is depicted with 108 serrated edges, representing divine protection and the destruction of dark forces. Similarly, within yoga, it is the practitioners of Surya Namaskar—or Sun Salutation—who perform a series of 12 postures for 9 rounds each, thereby repeating the number 108 again. This alignment to cosmic rhythms connects the practitioner with the larger universe.
2. Buddhism: Overcoming Earthly Temptations
Buddhist tradition holds 108 as an auspicious number, symbolizing the totality of 108 earthly temptations or afflictions that must be faced and conquered along the path to enlightenment. These bondages, or afflictions, fall into three major groups, namely, sensual desire, ill-will, and ignorance, standing in opposition to spiritual growth. The practice invites the purification process by addressing each one of these obstructions on the spiritual journey.
Malas, or prayer beads, have their place in Buddhist meditation. These strings of beads usually have 108 beads and are used to count mantras or prayers. This repetition of the mantra on the beads leads one through the process and helps in focusing the mind for clear thought and purification. The rhythmic repetition of the sacred sound is believed to calm the minds and bring practitioners closer to attaining enlightenment.
3. Jainism: The Highway to Liberation
108 is also within the esteem of Jainism, another ancient religion from India. According to Jain tradition, there are said to be four kinds of karma binding a soul in rebirth: those which are destructive, non-destructive, obscuring the soul, and obscuring conduct. Jains seek to overcome these karmic influences in their quest for liberation (moksha). The number 108, in many ways, represents the total number of the soul’s journey toward spiritual liberation and freedom from worldly attachments.
Besides, the number 108 is found in most Jain scriptures as a symbolic representation of completeness and accomplishment in spirituality. In the Jain temple and during its rituals, the repetition of prayers, chants, or repetition of rituals in sets of 108 has ever enhanced the sacred nature of this number.
Mathematical Connections to 108
1. Numerology: The Power of Nine
Numerology imparts another layer of meaning to the number 108. When the digits of 108 are added together, they add up to 9—a number often associated with completion, wholeness, and unity. In many spiritual traditions, the number 9 represents the highest level of divine order or realization, and its presence within 108 enhances its transformative power.
The other important classification for 108 is that it is a Harshad number, or one which is divisible by the sum of its digits. This mathematical property adds another level to the meaning of this number in the realm of the sacred, depicting purity and alignment with cosmic order.
2. Astronomy: Alignments with the Cosmos
It is at this point that the mystic implications of 108 extend into space, wherein it reflects interesting cosmic significance. For instance, the mean distance between the Earth and the Sun is roughly about 108 times the diameter of the Sun. Similarly, the mean distance between Earth and the Moon is about 108 times the diameter of the Moon. These cosmic ratios indicate that the number 108 holds more meaningful depth with nature and reinforces its importance in spiritual understanding related to the universe.
Some see such cosmic alignments as proof that 108 epitomizes the resonance of earthly life with the grand, unknowable cosmos. This celestial relationship only heightens the view that 108 is connected to none other than the universe’s secrets, bridging the human experience to infinity.
Cultural Depictions of 108
1. Yoga: A Gateway to Spiritual Awakening
This use of 108, especially in yoga, lets practitioners often use mala beads composed of 108 beads while counting repetitions of mantras or affirmations. Repeatedly chanting a mantra for each bead thus aids in centering the mind—fostering a state of deep meditation and heightened spiritual awareness.
In yoga, too, the number 108 manifests in many physical practices. For example, during some festivals like Maha Shivratri, special rituals are performed by repeating Surya Namaskar or certain mantras 108 times. This helps a person get tuned with the cosmic energies for bringing balance to the body and the mind.
On a deeper level, 108 sun salutations or breath exercises are believed to enhance the practitioner’s physical strength while bringing him closer to spiritual awakening. Whether through breath control, postures, or meditation, the presence of 108 in yoga reminds one of the interconnectedness of the universe and the place of the individual therein.
2. Martial Arts: Discipline and Focus
Another strong influence of the number 108 can be found in martial arts, especially those from the East Asian tradition. Most of these practices are tied to Buddhism and all its teachings. Thus, the number 108 appears in training within martial arts, where a specific ritual or movement may be repeated in sets of a multiple of 108. This insistence on repetition disciplines the mind and strengthens the body, bringing together physical prowess and spiritual devotion.
This is repeated in martial arts in sets of 108 to develop not only skills but also mental focus and spiritual connection. Thus, as one repeats a particular technique 108 times, one establishes a deeper meaning of this number: mastery, discipline, perfection pursued.
The Meaning of 108 within Contemporary Spiritual Practice
1. Meditation: Bridging Focus and Clarity
The number 108 has continued to play a major role in contemporary spiritual practices, and increasingly in meditation. It could be in yogic meditation, Buddhist practices, or other forms of meditation; the 108 beads of the mala provide concentration. Each bead is used to count the repetition of a mantra, prayer, or affirmation by the individual to maintain focused and centered spirituality.
Some methods of meditation work on the premise of a state of heightened arousal whereby one can breathe only 108 times in a day. In that reduced breathing lies the belief that one has reached such a height of your consciousness where with every intake of breath, one is moving closer to liberation.
2. Rituals of Communion: Festivals of Togetherness
Moreover, in most cultures, the number 108 finds its place in collective rituals. For example, during Japanese New Year celebrations, bells ring 108 times at Buddhist temples to denote the 108 worldly desires from which people seek to escape. Each ringing is supposed to throw an evil temptation into the air so that the new year can be welcomed on a fresh note.
The ritualistic use of 108 herein reflects the power of community in surmounting personal and collective challenges. Individuals, through participation in such ceremonies, will be reminded of the interdependence of all beings through a common goal of spiritual growth.
Final Thoughts
The number 108 crosses so many cultural and religious borders that it retains its place as one of the most spiritually revered numbers in history. From its cosmic associations to its spiritual guidance, this number captures the essence of humanity’s relationship to the universe. Whether in prayer, rituals, or cosmic mysteries, 108 seems to link the physical and spiritual realms, fostering a sense of wholeness and unity within the fabric of existence.
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References
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1d7jg1h/why_is_108_a_sacred_number_in_buddhism/
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/numerology-tarot/number-108-know-the-power-of-this-sacred-number/articleshow/108138122.cms
[3] https://indivyoga.com/why-the-number-108/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_%28number%29
[5] https://www.samyakyoga.org/fascinating-facets-of-number-108
[6] https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/heres-how-the-number-108-binds-us-to-the-universe/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4LQBC0arik