Disciple Count, was Re: [Buddha-l] Re: Buddha-l Mahayana taught bythe Buddha?

[Kate]

> Richard P. Hayes wrote:
>> He managed to gather 1250 disciples over the course of 45 years of
>> teaching.

Hi All,

The problem with numbers used in Asian writings is that often they have 
symbolic meanings.  To say that the Buddha had 1250 disciples may not mean 
he had this number of disciples but that the disciples he had followed the 
Noble Eight Fold Path (1+2+5+0=8).  Even the number 45 (9) might be symbolic 
of his type of teachings over the years rather than the number of years for 
which he taught.  These are only suggestions.  In this particular case, the 
numbers may represent other concepts and contain different messages.

Then, of course, they could mean that the Buddha had 1250 disciples and that 
he taught for 45 years.

Regards
Kate