An () is a Buddhist name for the number 10<sup>140</sup> or alternatively for the number <math>10^{(a\cdot2^b)}</math> as it is described in the Avatamsaka Sutra. The value of the number is different depending upon the translation. It is <math>10^{(5\cdot2^{103})}</math> in the translation of Buddhabhadra, <math>10^{(7\cdot2^{103})}</math> in that of Shikshananda and <math>10^{(10\cdot2^{104})}</math> in that of Thomas Cleary, who may have made an error in calculation. In these religious traditions, the word has the meaning of <nowiki/>'Incalculable or Countless'.
Asaṃkhyeya is a Sanskrit word that appears often in the numerous Buddhist 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.
See also
- History of large numbers