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Asaṃkhyeya

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(Redirected from Asankhyeya) Buddhist name for a large number

An asaṃkhyeya (Sanskrit: असंख्येय) is a Buddhist name for the number 10, or alternatively for the number 10 ( a 2 b ) {\displaystyle 10^{(a\cdot 2^{b})}} as it is described in the Avatamsaka Sutra. The value of the number is different depending upon the translation. It is 10 ( 5 2 103 ) {\displaystyle 10^{(5\cdot 2^{103})}} in the translation of Buddhabhadra, 10 ( 7 2 103 ) {\displaystyle 10^{(7\cdot 2^{103})}} in that of Shikshananda and 10 ( 10 2 104 ) {\displaystyle 10^{(10\cdot 2^{104})}} in that of Thomas Cleary, who may have made an error in calculation. In these religious traditions, the word has the meaning of 'incalculable'.

Asaṃkhyeya is a Sanskrit word that appears often in the Buddhist texts. For example, Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have practiced for 3 great asaṃkhyeya kalpas before becoming a Buddha.

See also

References

  1. Garg, Ganga Ram (October 1, 1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ar-Az. South Asia Books. ISBN 8170223768.
  2. Yong, Bhikshu Jin. "How Large is One Asamkhyeya" (PDF). Vajra Bodhi Sea (November 2008): 42–44. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  3. http://www.drbachinese.org/vbs/publish/462/vbs462p042.pdf
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