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Asamkhyeya

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
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An Asaṃkhyeya (Sanskrit: असंख्येय) is a Hindu/Buddhist name for the number 10^(140) or alternatively for the number 10^{(a-2^b)} as it is listed in the Avatamsaka Sutra.

Depending on the translation, the value is different.

It is 10^{(5-2^{103})} in the translation of Buddhabhadra, 10^{(7-2^{103})} in that of Shikshananda and 10^{(10-2^{104})} in that of Thomas Cleary who makes errors in the calculation.

Asamkhyeya is a Sanskrit word that appears often in the Buddhist texts.

For example, Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have practiced for three asamkhyeya kalpas before becoming a Buddha.

Asamkhyeya means ‘incalculable’. Bhiksu Jin Yong "How Large is One Asamkhyeya?"

The word "Asaṃkhyeya" literally means "innumerable" in the sense of "infinite" in Sanskrit.

It is also a title of Vishnu and of Shiva.

The word comes up in Vishnu Sahasranama Stanza 27, "Asankyeyo-aprameyaatmaa" One who has innumerable names and forms.

Source

Wikipedia:Asamkhyeya