from Lostpedia (http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/108):
As it is now clear that the show has a recurring theme of religion, specifically Eastern religion (DHARMA, namaste), it is important to note that the number 108 has great significance attached in that realm. Note that the religious significance of 108 to many Eastern ideological beliefs also has great impact on their popular culture, as seen in the following "Occurrences outside the show" section.
There are 108 beads on a mala, used by Buddhists and Hindus for chanting.
There are "108 Defilements of Buddhism which can be connected to the symbols in the DHARMA logo(s) (http://www.virtuescience.com/defilements.html)".
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More specifically, one of the Buddhist readings of the number 108 is as the quantity of Klesas (mental defilements) according to the Tientai version of the Abhidharma (one of the main Buddhist doctrinary texts) [1] (http://www.tientai.net/glossary/108bonno.htm).
A typical Japanese interpretation for the meaning of the number 108, used by both Nichiren and Pure Land schools, is given under "Shoshu Buddhist" (Shoshu is a controversial Nichiren school of Buddhist origins) in [2] (http://www.salagram.net/108meaning.html):
Followers use 108 beads in their malas. They implement the following formula:
6 x 3 x 2 x 3 = 108
6 senses [sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, thought]
3 aspects of time [past, present, future]
2 condition of heart [pure or impure]
3 possibilities of sentiment [like, dislike, indifference]
6^2 + 6^2 + 6^2 = 108. In common Christian Eschatology, 666 is the Number of the Beast. (This is currently being disputed)[3]</ul>moar info here (http://www.salagram.net/108meaning.html).