An asaṃkhyeya (Sanskrit: असंख्येय) is a Sanskrit word for the number 10140 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 or Countless'. Asaṃkhyeya is a Sanskrit word that appears often in the Buddhist and Hindu texts. For examples,
Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have practiced every Bodhisattva actions for 4 Asaṃkhyeya kalpas before becoming a Buddha. Kassapa Buddha is said to have practiced 10 perfections for 8 Asaṃkhyeya kalpas before becoming a Buddha. Dipankara Buddha is said to have completed 10 Pāramitās for 16 Asaṃkhyeya kalpas before becoming a Buddha.. It is also found as names of the Hindu Gods Shiva and Vishnu in their sahasranamas respectively.
See also History of large numbers
References