What is special about 108?

The meaning of the number 108 depends on who you ask. Appearing on a variety of region ranging from spirituality, religion, medicine and mathematics, one is bound to notice it’s ubiquitous nature (ever more so now that you have searched for it). It is a special number with long and ancient history of heritage. It was originally mentioned in ancient Eastern world, from Hindu deities having 108 names, people in yoga doing 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar), Japanese Buddhist temples ringing their bells 108 times to signify New Year, and recently in Western world, where the famous mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci (after whom Fibonacci sequence is named) mentioned that the number 108 represents the wholeness of existence. 

While the origins of the number 108 do not have any concrete evidence, it is evident that it originated before our perceived ancient world. If not, how could it have been found in places which were so far apart from each other? How could it have appeared at the same time in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism? It is a symbol that not only appears on our beliefs but encompasses a mysterious truth as a whole.

 For me the most fulfilling definition that I have found for it is as so:

1 - Singularity of the Present

0 - Nothingness of the Past

8 - Infinity of the Future

This definition acts as my day to day mantra, as like most people I am always anxious of the future while always thinking about the events of the past. Therein lies the most obvious issue- we do not give any care to the present. 

Exploring Fascinating Insights Behind the Special Number 108

Yoga and Meditation

The significance of number 108 in Yoga and Meditation is most obvious to the practitioners. A traditional prayer mala used in meditation contains 108 beads where each chant represents the journey from the material self to the spiritual self. There are also 108 stances in meditation. Yogis often complete sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) in nine rounds of 12 postures, which add up to 108 times. 

Connections in the human body

In Ayurveda, there are 108 Marmas (vital points) in the human body from where the body’s life energy can be accessed, stimulated or blocked. These points in the body are used in Pranic (spiritual) healing, Ayurvedic therapy and channeling of chakras. In acupuncture, these points are pierced to allow for energy flow.

108 Defilements 

In Buddhism there are 108 defilements that are considered as the sources of human suffering. These defilements are rooted on the three main poisons: greed, hatred and ignorance. These 108 temptations can lead the practitioners away from the path of spiritual discipline and enlightment. Only by overcoming these temptations that human beings can achieve enlightenment and be free from suffering.

Distance between the Earth and Sun/Moon

The distance between the earth and sun is approximately 108 times the diameter of the Sun, i.e. to reach Earth from Sun, one needs to travel across 108 Suns. Likewise, to travel to Earth from Moon, one needs to travel across 108 Moons. No doubt, Sun, Earth and Moon are intertwined to each other in our world’s culture but why does the number 108 appear? It adds more mystery to the number.

Mathematical Beauty

108 is a Harshad number. It means a number which is divisible by the sum of it’s digits. For 108, 1+0+8 = 9. 108 divided by 9 gives 12. Not only that one of the most important shapes in cultures around the world- Pentagon has each of it’s angles at 108 degrees.

Mantra Strength

While chanting a mantra, it is always chanted 108 times. It is believed that by doing so, an individual’s mind and body  is able to align with the cosmic evergy of the universe, aiding in meditation and spiritual growth. 

Religion

The number 108 is found mentioned on every Eastern Religion. Be it in Prayers, Hindu Deity names, Buddhist worldly desires, Jain virtues etc. it is a revered number everywhere. 

Sanskrit Language

The ancient language Sanskrit has 54 letters in the alphabet. Each of these letters have two qualities- Male form Shiva and Female form Shakti. The total number of alphabets comes out to be 54*2 = 108.

Martial Arts

Particularly in Japanese and Chinese traditions, the number 108 represents the complete cycle of training whereby practitioners must overcome 108 challenges to achieve mastery. Also, Martial Arts recognizes 108 pain points in the human body which can be stimulated. Of these, 72 can destroy someone’s fighting abilities and 36 can seriously injure someone. 

 Astrology

In Vedic astrology, the number 108 is tied to the concept of sacred geometry, particularly in the arrangement of the planets. There are 12 houses in astrology and 9 planets. The reading of astrology depends on the interaction between the houses and the planets. The total number of combinations between the houses and planets are 12*9 = 108.

Human Biology

108 degrees Fahrenheit is the internal body temperature at which the human body’s vital organs begin to fail from overheating. Thats it!  That is a fact of human biology. Don’t ask me why they graded the Fahrenheit scale as so. It is what it is.