108

[BG-57]

Just curious if there is some mystical significance to this number. Naturally it's most prominent in the Suikoden series which generally features 108 recruitable characters known as 'Stars of Destiny'. But it also crops up in FFT, where there is a defensive armlet known as '108 Gems'.

[Madame Adequate]

It does have significance, but I couldn't tell you of the origins of said significance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_(number)

Might be that hyperfactoral thing. We do love our number 3 and multiples thereof.

[Wolf Kanno]

Its a sign of good luck. In China or Japan (or perhaps both, I can't remember I'm afraid) during the New Year, the temple will be rang 108 times to cleanse and bring prosperity in the coming year. I believe it has its origins in Buddhist teaching but I don't know what sect.

[The Man]

from Lostpedia:

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)".
  <ul>
• 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].
  

[*]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]:

• 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.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Naturally it's most prominent in the Suikoden series which generally features 108 recruitable characters known as 'Stars of Destiny'. But it also crops up in FFT, where there is a defensive armlet known as '108 Gems'.

"108 Gems" is a mala, as described in Aaron Freed's quotation.

In addition to the pre-existing deeper meaning of the number, having 108 potential party members in Suikoden comes from the novel of the same name, on which the series is roughly based.

[The Man]

And of course, the existence of 108 bandits in Water Margin was almost certainly inspired by several of the other pre-existing meanings of the number as well I don't know why I neglected to mention that though; I'm slipping in my old age.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

And of course, the existence of 108 bandits in Water Margin was almost certainly inspired by several of the other pre-existing meanings of the number as well

Yeah, that's what I meant. =O

[Marshall Banana]

=O

=O

[BG-57]

Sort of like the 12 biblical disciples representing the 12 tribes of Israel?

Interesting stuff. Reminds me of the way that the Saiyuki permeates Japanese pop culture and is taken for granted there, but is unknown to many Westerners. Took me years to realize that Spaceketeers was based off it (the dubbing had simply avoided mentioning it by overlaying a Three Musketeers theme instead).

[Denmark]

3*3*3*3*2*2

it's a beautiful number.

[BG-57]

Okay, now I'm just going to have to buy back my copy of Suikoden from my brother and play it again.

[The Man]

3*3*3*3*2*2

it's a beautiful number.

3*3*3*2*2. the number you listed would be 324.

[Bunny]

Someone got a little three happy.