Why 108?
108 Defilements in Buddhism
The number 108 holds profound symbolic meaning in Buddhism, particularly in relation to defilements (kilesa), which are mental impurities that obstruct one's path to enlightenment.
The concept of 108 defilements is rooted in Buddhist psychology and cosmology, reflecting the numerous ways in which the mind can be afflicted by various forms of desire, aversion, and delusion.
Six Sense Bases:
Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind
Three Feelings:
Pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral
Two Moral Qualities:
Good vs Bad
Three Temporal Dimensions:
Past, Present, and Future
6 senses bases×3 feelings×2 moral qulities×3 times=108
108 Beads
108 Bows
By combining these factors, the calculation is 6×3×2×3=108. This represents all possible defilements arising from sensory experiences, feelings, moral attributes, and time.
Practitioners strive to overcome these defilements through practices such as mindfulness, ethical conduct, and meditation, all of which aim to purify the mind.