We’re excited to note that, through our weekly newsletters, we’ve now shared an astonishing 108 commonalities across the world’s religions— Yes 108, a truly remarkable number, and not a mistake!
To many, 108 is not just a number. It is a nexus between ancient wisdom and modern curiosity, between cosmic balance and inner equilibrium. It acts like a hidden thread, weaving through Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and beyond, connecting science with spirituality, the body with the cosmos, and the self with something larger. And while there may not be one single answer to why it matters, its persistent presence suggests a universal intuitive sense that in 108, we encounter a symbol of wholeness, resonance, and the human journey toward meaning. From the intricate designs of sacred geometry to the quiet rhythm of meditation, 108 appears as a recurring motif, hinting at a hidden harmony in the universe and within ourselves.
In Hindu philosophy, 108 is considered the number of wholeness and spiritual completion. This belief is reflected in the japa mala, a string of 108 beads used during meditation, with each bead marking a breath, a chant, or a moment of focus. The number itself can be broken down symbolically: 1 represents the individual self, 0 signifies emptiness or completeness, and 8 denotes infinity. This structure speaks to the spiritual journey from selfhood to unity with the eternal. The Upanishads, foundational Hindu texts that explore consciousness and existence, are also traditionally counted as 108, emphasising their central place in the pursuit of wisdom.
At its core, Buddhism illuminates suffering as a product of attachment, teaching that true peace arises through mindful presence and the acceptance of impermanence. Life is viewed as a ceaseless flow, with nothing fixed and everything in constant flux. Within that understanding, clarity emerges. The Buddha’s ‘Middle Way’ offers a path between the extremes of indulgence and denial, guiding practitioners toward compassionate engagement with all beings. This reverence for balance and awareness is reflected not only in philosophy but also in Buddhist ritual, where the number 108 holds profound symbolic weight. It is believed that there are 108 defilements or earthly desires that cloud the mind and hinder the path to enlightenment. Each step toward awareness, each act of letting go, becomes a form of purification. On New Year’s Eve in Japan, temple bells are rung 108 times to release these passions symbolically, clearing the space for renewal. Buddhist malas typically consist of 108 beads, a meditative gesture of presence. Many temples feature 108 steps leading to their sanctum, a physical journey mirroring the inward path to liberation. In Buddhism, embracing impermanence is not about loss, but about deepening one’s relationship with the present, leading to profound empowerment rooted in gratitude and spiritual clarity.
In Jainism, too, 108 embodies a sacred structure, representing the sum of spiritual virtues attributed to revered beings and their exemplary conduct, encapsulating an ethical ideal.
Though less prominent, echoes of 108 can also be found in other spiritual paths. In Sikhism, while not doctrinally central, malas with 108 beads are used by some sects for meditative chanting. The number serves here not just as a counting tool but as a means to centre the self in the Divine. Christian mysticism doesn’t focus on 108 specifically. Still, repetitive prayer practices with ropes, such as the Jesus Prayer in Eastern Orthodoxy, sometimes involve numerical structures that approximate or reflect similar intentions of devotion and mindfulness. In Islamic Sufi traditions, tasbihs used for dhikr (remembrance of God) often have 99 beads corresponding to the names of Allah. Still, longer strands may go up to 101 or 108, allowing for extended recitation and reflection. These practices underscore the shared spiritual instinct to use repetition and rhythm to elevate consciousness.
Cosmic and Mathematical Mysteries of 108
What’s remarkable is that this sacred number isn’t confined to scripture or rituals but also written in the very structure of the cosmos. The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the diameter of the Sun; similarly, the distance from the Earth to the Moon is around 108 times the diameter of the Moon. The Sun’s diameter is about 108 times the Earth’s. These proportions are not mystical inventions but observable facts, suggesting a hidden mathematical elegance in the universe that aligns with the spiritual symbolism long ascribed to this number.
The human body resonates with this numerical frequency. Traditional Indian medicine identifies 108 marma points, which are considered vital energy centres, spread across the body. In yogic traditions, it’s believed that 108 energy lines converge at the heart chakra, the seat of compassion and connection. Martial arts forms like Tai Chi and classical Indian Kalaripayattu incorporate 108 movements or positions, reinforcing the idea that the body is a vessel through which cosmic order expresses itself.
The recurrence of 108 across these diverse belief systems and disciplines suggests more than coincidence points to a shared intuitive understanding of balance, rhythm, and the cycles that govern both the cosmos and consciousness. Engaging with the number, whether through ritual, movement, or simply contemplation, is a way of entering a universal language that speaks of unity in diversity, of wholeness in fragments.
In our fragmented, fast-paced world, 108 offers a quiet call to stillness and remembrance. It reminds us that true fulfillment doesn’t lie in accumulation, but in alignment with self, with others, and with the greater design of which we are all a part.
