At the Foot of the Mountain

The number 108 is considered special, sacred, and mystical by many cultures, especially Eastern cultures. It is common in Hinduism, Vedic teachings, Daoism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and many yoga practices. We will take a look at where this number shows up and try to understand why it is considered so important. Many malas , both Chinese and Indian, consist of 108 beads. Many taijiquan ( t'ai chi ch'uan ) forms consist of 108 postures. In Buddhism, there are 108 defilements. In Hinduism, there are 108 names for each deity. Vedic mantras typically are repeated 108 times. The list goes on and on. So why was this number considered so important? In part, because it seems to show up everywhere and was thus thought to have a place of importance in the grand scheme of the universe. It shows up in many fields of study. Mathematics - There are many mathematical properties that make the number 108 special. 9 x 12 = 108, and both 9 and 12 are considered sacred. 1 + 0 + 8 = 9, and that...

The use of prayer beads spans cultures and traditions the world over. It is one of the few religious symbols that is common across most major religions. What we call "prayer beads" can actually take three forms (one of which is not even made of beads): Necklace Prayer Beads - these are most common Wrist (Bracelet) Prayer Beads - these are smaller version of the necklace variety Prayer Rope - these are ropes or fabrics with knots tied in intervals, which serve the same purpose as beads. Prayer beads are primarily used to keep track of prayers, meditation, or chants. They are basically a counting tool, though a sacred one. At a most basic level, they aid the practitioner by making the act of counting an automatic and unconscious effort, thus making it easier to concentrate on the content of the prayer, meditation, or chant. Just like there are three main types of prayer beads, there are also three main uses for them: Reciting the same thing repeatedly. Reciting a pattern of ...