108 beads-why

[theist 1]

What is the significance of the number 108. Is this a common number between various Indian tradions? Do Buddhists also choose this number for some reason.

 

108 gopis

 

108 Upanishads

 

108 ?

[Guest guest]

On a mala, or set of mantra counting beads, there are generally 108 beads, or some fraction of that number.

 

The question often arises:

"Why are there 108 beads on a mala?"

 

 

Below are some of the many reasons that have been given, as well as a few other points of interest. None of these reasons are being promoted here as more or less true than the others. However, you may notice that 108 appears to be somewhat like a road map of reality in general, and the human in particular.

 

Regardless of the meaning of 108, it is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention.

 

9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108.

 

Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108

 

Desires: There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals.

 

Lies: There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.

 

Delusions: There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance.

 

Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.

 

Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.

 

Pranayama: If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come.

 

Upanishads: Some say there are 108 Upanishads, texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages.

 

Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.

 

Pentagon: The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees.

 

Marmas: Marmas or marmastanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body.

 

Time: Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future.

 

8 extra beads: In doing a practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 are counted as completed. The remaining are said to cover errors or omissions. The 8 are also said to be an offering to God and Guru.

 

Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exist on Earth is around 100.

 

Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a whole.

 

Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.

 

Goddess names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names.

 

Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, there were said to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna.

 

1, 0, and 8: Some say that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.

 

Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.

 

Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.

 

Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108.

 

Numerical scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, etc., where 0 is not a number.

 

Meditations: Some say there are 108 styles of meditation.

 

Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600.

 

Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God.

 

Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.

 

Hinduism: 108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu deities. Some say that each of the deities has 108 names.

 

Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer to God.

 

Jain: In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively.

 

Sikh: The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads.

 

Buddhism: Some Buddhists carve 108 small Buddhas on a walnut for good luck. Some ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year.

 

Chinese: The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36 each.

 

Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes through 108 stages on the journey.

 

Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

 

Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

 

Praiseworthy souls: There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

[theist 1]

Thank you very much.

 

In some older Christian traditions, like Russian Orthodoax I think, they would knot a cloth or leather strip called a chotki into around 100 knots and then chant what they called the Jesus Prayer which translates to Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me.

 

Their idea was to learn to chant from the inner meaning or the soul and the chant itself was said to bring one to this inner level.

 

I am thinking of what may be a version of this that would be proper and acceptable to present day Christians.

 

Something simpler than the Catholic rosary. It should contain a call for mercy along with a name of Christ and a name from their tradition for the Father. Also a nice flowing rythem. Very simple.

 

What would the head bead refer to?

 

I would like the regular 108+head model to be usede if possible and proper.

 

Anyone have an idea or two?

[Priitaa 0]

All I know is Prabhupada told us 108 beads for 108 gopis, and the first 8 beads represent the first 8 principle gopis. Thats why there sometimes is a string marking them off from the rest.

[Priitaa 0]

The head bead refers to the spiritual master. That's why you are not suppose to cross 'over' it after completing one round, but turn around and start chanting the other direction.

[gHari 0]

I thought the head bead was Srimati Radharani?

[theist 1]

I always thought it was the Krsna bead.

 

Oh well, I am the guy who has been chanting backwards on his beads for years anyway...

[livingentity 0]

That is also what I was taught.

[Priitaa 0]

True, I was taught both, that it was the Krishna bead, and that it was the spiritual master bead. But mostly I was taught it was the spiritual master bead, from day one. Does anyone have quotes from Srila Prabhupada? Tho its true that could both be correct! /images/graemlins/smile.gif Go figure. Anyway, quotes might clear it up. Even if both turn out to be accurate, it may clarify it.

[yasodanandana 0]

my guru maharaja (bhakti vaibhava puri gosvami) says that it's krsna... krsna and the 108 gopis:)

 

but it is a simbolism

 

(krsna in bh gita says.. "i am the japa mala")

 

mataji prabhu.. my obeisances!! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[theist 1]

Any suggestions on a simple Christian orientated mantra?

[Kulapavana 0]

Hare Christa? /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[theist 1]

It was just a thought. Myself I am very ignorant of languages.

[Kulapavana 0]

there is something called the Jesus prayer, some christians use it like a mantra on rosary beads

[theist 1]

you seriously would like to help me I would really appreciate it. To get an idea where I am coming from on this you can read the third post of this thread.

 

Thanks

Hare Krsna

[Kulapavana 0]

the Jesus prayer goes like that: "Jesus Christ be merciful unto me" in the language of the person meditating. Rosary has 54 beads, number derived most likely from Kabalah (half of our 108). St. John of the Cross is the Christian mistic whose depth and flavour of devotion comes close to our madhurya rasa. if you have sentiment for that tradition check out his writings.

[gHari 0]

Another KRSNA BEAD from the official ISKCON website's quite comprehensive japa page at http://www.iskcon.com/basics/japa.html

 

Hearing the explanation given here of the one surrounded by 108, it sure makes sense to me. And Radha is one of the eight principle gopis, so She would be included in the eight beads that are separated from the others by the string. I must admit that memory of that fateful day in '75 could be quite stale in my memory. I do remember how Krsna Katha das told me I could chant the panca-tattva mantra after each round. Now I still try to sneak in a few Nitai-Gaura's every now and then.

 

I found nothing in the Vedabase; lots of initiations but no name for the head bead. Prabhupada wouldn't initiate someone until they had neck beads. He told Jayapataka Swami on his July 24, 1968 initiation in Montreal that it was okay if he chanted more than 16 rounds, but never less.

 

I got a laugh from this on the japa page above:<blockquote>Common pitfalls

 

“Prajalpa-japa”: Unnecessarily talking while chanting.

“Dive-bomb japa”: Falling asleep while chanting (head nodding off).

“Radar japa”: constantly looking around.

“Machine-gun japa”: much too fast while shaking the finger.

“Jibber-japa”: it is just gibberish, no one can understand it.

“Day-dreamy japa”: not concentrating, following the wandering mind. </blockquote>

 

gHari

[gHari 0]

Thought it would be with the Essenes but apparently not, but I did find some interesting stuff on reincarnation and vegetarianism: http://essene.org/Essene_Doctrine.htm#Doctrine_six amd http://essene.com/

[Kulapavana 0]

I think Jesus prayer has origins in Middle Ages. also, the Eastern Orthodox church placed great emphasis on singin holy liturgy and had it's own mantra: "Hospody pomiluy" (Lord be merciful)

[Guest guest]

They even have a home study course!

[theist 1]

lots of good tips to investigate. I was just kinking this around in mind. We tell Christians to chant God's names but there are few examples for them to follow.

 

"dive-bomber japa" lol

 

Anyone remember the squirt gun phase when devotees who "dive-bombed" During japa or SB class would get a squirt of cold water in the face to revive them? lol

[yasodanandana 0]

better for christians to keep on with the tradition.. "ave maria, gratia plena (full of grace) dominus tecum (god is with you) benedicta tui mulieribus (you are blessed among all the women)..." and so on..

 

the concept of "mother mary" even if perhaps in major part ficticious is instrumental to introduce in the future the concept of radharani, she, the love personified, who is the link between us and krsna.

 

I, beeing a catholic, have some experience of talking with evangelists and other protestants... they take away mary, god became directly accessible without the need of spiritual progress or school and master

[theist 1]

yasodhanandana, many of these Christians object to Mary for some reason and the Catholic trasdition does not attract them.

 

Why you use the word fictious I don't know.

 

There was another recent thread where I posted a quote from Prabhupada on Mary's position as being a representative of Radharani but I can't seem to find it now.

 

[yasodanandana 0]

"Why you use the word fictious I don't know."

 

because jesus is not the supreme personality of godhead, she has not generated jesus with god, she is caste in a vedic sense but not virgin, she is not "assumpted" in the heaven without die... etc

 

 

prabhupada if says it (Mary's position as being a representative of Radharani) it is obviously extremely right.. she impersonifies in some way, the principle of radhe as the LOVING GOD when krsna is the LOVED GOD

 

this is the sense of my message.. understanding mary, then it is relatively easy to accept radhe.. then the spiritual master.. devotee association and so on

[krsna 3]

680724IN.MON

 

Prabhupada: You BEGIN FROM THIS BIG BEAD, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and then after finishing, begin second. In this way, there are 108, one, two, three. Come to this point, then begin from this point.

 

690325IN.HAW

 

Now you can chant, those who are initiated.

(ceremony begins, chanting of om apavitrah) (break) ...Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Then take another bead, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. In this way you come to this end. DON'T CROSS THIS SUMMIT. AGAIN BEGIN FROM THIS END. In this way chant daily sixteen rounds.

 

OUR OBEISANCES

Adi 7.4

 

"In the Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performance of sankirtana-yajna."

(Bhag. 11.5.32) Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Sri Nityananda Prabhu, His incarnation Sri Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Sri Gadadhara Prabhu and His marginal potency Srivasa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. THEREFORE OUR OBEISANCES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU ARE COMPLETE WHEN WE SAY SRI-KRSNA-CAITANYA PRABHU NITYANANDA SRI-ADVAITA GADADHARA SRIVASADI-GAURA-BHAKTA-VRNDA. AS PREACHERS OF THE KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, WE FIRST OFFER OUR OBEISANCES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU BY CHANTING THIS PANCA-TATTVA MANTRA; THEN WE SAY HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE. THERE ARE TEN OFFENSES IN THE CHANTING OF THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA, BUT THESE ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN THE CHANTING OF THE PANCA-TATTVA MANTRA, NAMELY, SRI-KRSNA-CAITANYA PRABHU-NITYANANDA SRI-ADVAITA GADADHARA SRIVASADI-GAURA-BHAKTA-VRNDA. SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU IS KNOWN AS MAHA-VADANYAVATARA, THE MOST MAGNANIMOUS INCARNATION, FOR HE DOES NOT CONSIDER THE OFFENSES OF THE FALLEN SOULS. THUS TO DERIVE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE CHANTING OF THE MAHA-MANTRA

(HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE),

WE MUST FIRST TAKE SHELTER OF SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, LEARN THE PANCA-TATTVA MAHA-MANTRA, AND THEN CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA. THAT WILL BE VERY EFFECTIVE.

 

 

670218CC.SF

 

Now, so there are Upanisads. Generally they take eleven Upanisads primarily, but there are 108 Upanisads. Sometimes the explanation is given that "WHY WE HAVE GOT 108 BEADS?BECAUSE THERE ARE 108 UPANISADS." SO CHANTING OF HARE KRSNA WITH 108 BEADS MEANS THAT WE ARE SURPASSING THE STUDY OF 108 UPANISADS. ANOTHER MEANING IS THAT THERE ARE 108 DAMSELS WHO SERVED KRSNA WITH ALL RESPECT AT VRNDAVANA. SO THAT IS ALSO ANOTHER EXPLANATION, 108. WE ARE SERVING KRSNA'S SERVITORS, HUNDRED AND..., CHIEF DAMSELS OF, AT VRNDAVANA. So these 108 Upanisads are described, isa kena katha prasna munda mandukyo taittiri... You can count how many: Isopanisad, Kenopanisad, Kathopanisad, Prasnopanisad, Mundakopanisad, Mandukyopanisad, Taittiriyopanisad. Then aitareyas ca chandogya brhad-aranyakam tatha. Then Aitareya Upanisad, Chandogyopanisad, Brhad-aranyakopanisad, Brahmokaivalyopanisad, Jabalopanisad. There are so many Upanisads, 108 Upanisads. Aruneyopanisad, Garbho, Narayano, Hamsa. This Hamsaduta, the name, the Hamsa Upanisad, it comes from Hamsa. Garbho narayano hamso binduro narada sikah. Sika-upanisad, Narada Upanisad.

 

 

710718IN.DET Lectures

 

Come on. Next. Who's this? Oh, all right. Then how many still remaining? All right. (chants japa) First of all grains mixed up. (more japa) Come on. Take your. Come on. Whose beads are lying on the floor there? Whose beads? OH, YOU NEVER PUT IT IN THE FLOOR. WHEN THERE IS NO BAG, YOU PUT LIKE THIS.