Meaning of 108 in the scared Mala

The significance of 108 beads: 

Although the number of 108 beads on a mala is the same in both Hinduism and Buddhism, the symbolism for that number is different.  Hinduism draws on the cosmic significance of the number itself, while Buddhism refers to the number of passions to which one is striving to “put an end”.   

Hindu Meaning of 108: 

Mathematicians of Hindu Vedic cosmology believe 108 is the basis of creation, a number that represents the universe and the wholeness of existence and the ultimate consciousness is that we are all one and the same.  In Hinduism, the number 108 represents units of the distance between our body and the God within us.  According to yogic practice, there are 108 sacred sites throughout India, 108 ancient Vedic texts, and 108 sacred life force points in the body.  A mantra is chanted 108 times because each chant represents a spiritual journey from our material body towards the highest spiritual self.  With each mantra chant bringing you 1 unit closer to the God source within us.  The Sanskrit alphabet has 54 letters, each letter a Shakti (feminine) and Shiva (masculine) quality, multiply 54 by 2 = 108. 

Buddhist Meaning of 108: 

In Buddhism, there are 108 human passions that impede enlightenment.  Some suggest there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 to the present and 36 to the future.  Some further Buddhist calculations are of six senses and sensations: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and the mind.  Then multiply the three types of sensations:  neutral, pleasant, and unpleasant. (6 by 3 = 18).  Then take the eighteen senses and sensations then apply them to the three timelines in which we receive them:  past, present and future.  (18 by 3 = 54).  Throughout the timeline, there are two ways of handling the sensations.  (2 by 54 = 108) 

Astrological Meaning of 108: 

There are 12 houses and 9 planets in Astrology, Multiplication of 12 times 9 equals 108.  The number 108 also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth with the average distance of the Sun and Moon to Earth is 108 times their individual diameters.