View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Milan Fiori
Vanguard Elite
Joined: 04 Jan 2005
Post Count: 14766
Location: Ceresfjellet
715991 Potch
0 Soldiers
7777 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: The Significance of 108 |
|
|
So this has been bugging me for quite awhile now. I've been noticing for a very long time now, 108 seems to be a significant number, especially in Anime and Japanese original video games.
I've been seeing things like the 108 pound canon in One Piece, or there are 108 members of a holy guard, or 108 pages in a holy book, and just things of other usually 'religious' or otherwise holy in nature.
So I'm curious is this number actually has any meaning in like Buddism or Shintoism or any other popular Eastern Religion? And has anybody else noticed the common 108 theme in the games and anime they play and watch? _________________ Be awed by our prowess!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Failure_Urn
[SPECTATOR]
Joined: 03 Dec 2006
Post Count: 5939
Location: Ceresfjellet
672039 Potch
0 Soldiers
7777 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think the one piece 108 pound cannon is really the number 36 multiplied by 3, one for each of his swords, and is from the 36 passions of Buddhism. I do not know the significance of this, but thats where it came from.
Edit* Found this after looking a little
Quote: |
There are various explanations for the significance of the number 108
Ancient cosmology included 9 planets & 12 constellations. 9 X 12 = 108. Represents totality, the universe
The Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each has 2 aspects: male & female. 54 X 2 = 108. Sanskrit letters correspond to energies of the subtle body, 108 recitations purifies them
After reciting 100 mantras, 8 extra mantras are done to compensate for errors
6 senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and consciousness) multiplied by 3 reactions (positive, negative, or indifference) makes 18 "feelings." Each of these feelings can be either "attached to pleasure or detached from pleasure" making 36 "passions"-- each of which may be manifested in the past, present, or future. All the combinations of all these things makes a total of 108, which are represented by the beads in the ojuzu. |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_prayer_beads#Number_Of_Beads_And_ Significance _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Yvl
Sanctus
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Post Count: 5979
Location: Senan
55224 Potch
1063 Soldiers
12421 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
I was always told it was the number of temptations to overcome in the BUddhist faith or something to that effect. _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ikano
Prince Geass Falenas
Joined: 23 Jun 2004
Post Count: 4434
Location: Rainwall
2324315 Potch
1337 Soldiers
3028000 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hmm....from what I know/heard from my father...it has something to do with dates/calendars....something about 108 being divisible by 36....and 36 being of some importance...
I'm not sure the exact details....someone explained it to me a long time ago which I've mostly forgotten >.< _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Falcon Critical
Haia's Star Pupil
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Post Count: 2759
Location: Kanakan
678159 Potch
200 Soldiers
0 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
In terms of Suikoden at least the 108 comes from the ancient chinese book Shui Hu Zhuan (Water Margin) which was written in the 11th century. Again the number 36 is prevalent in this book, as there are 36 stars of heaven and 72 stars of earth. If you are tracing it back further than that then I guess it must be a buddhist number of significance as others have said. _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
iscalio
Joined: 28 Mar 2004
Post Count: 8370
1681589 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points
|
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
108 is a divine number in religion (probably since it can be split in many other holy numbers, like 9x12 and 4x27 and 3x6x6; and because it has some interesting mathematical traits). It is primarily associated with God in Hinduism, mainly Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva (Shiva's and Krishna's favorite, and Ganesh's lucky number; it's also the number of their names), and with God in the Abrahamic faiths (God's name has 216 letters for example) or the Heavenly Jerusalem (which has 72 outer gates and 36 inner gates), and it is also important in Daoism, Buddhism and even ancient European polytheism.
108 is used in countless Hindu temples for various measurements, and the same applies to the architecture of many Roman Catholic cathedrals.
That's why 108 is considered to be significant, and that's why it is used in stories like Shui Hu Zhuan, Lost or One Piece. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
TruePerception
Blind Eye
Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Post Count: 4377
Location: Ceresfjellet
478325 Potch
1000 Soldiers
7777 Nation Points
|
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
I would be interested in learning as to why 108 has become such a cornerstone of the religious. iscalio has pointed out many various and seperate cultures uses. I find it interesting to notice similarities in, otherwise, different cultures. Who here has realised how many cultures have a version of the phoenix myth? No matter what it is called, it always is a bird of fire that had an influence in creation.
Edit: I just looked up phoenix on wiki, and though there were more than I know of, they missed atleast one. They mentioned one native american tribe now using it as there symbol, but failed to note that native americans believed in a "Red Bird". I only know of this from a piece of art at one of my mom's friends' house that I read. _________________
Daily Funny Award for May 1st, 2008 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kiante
Dragon Rider Regiment #9
Joined: 23 Oct 2007
Post Count: 435
Location: Lelcar
244827 Potch
95 Soldiers
0 Nation Points
|
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, like you said true perception, it's intersting to see how culture is usually quite similar over the whole world. EVERY culture on earth for example has a Dragon Myth. Which suggests that dragons were real. So, this 108 might suggest that it really DOES have significance on earth.
However, what were you saying Iscalio about the heavenly jerusalem having 72 outer gates and 36 inner ones? I've never heard that before, could you give me some sources so I could research it further? _________________
"The heart may be weak. And sometimes it may even give in. But I’ve learned that deep down, there’s a light that never goes out!" ~Sora |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|