Indian Palaeography c3.23

c3.23

If the two weights are harmonious and balancing the string handle is at D, which is 0, which has now become a functional zero or potential zero, in place of dead zero. This realization, when conceived diagonally, can be expressed in the multiples of ten in a decimal system—a system derived from the earlier riddle of play balls. And that was what exactly done by the mathematical genius. It led to the place value of zero and the numbers on the left could go to infinity. Thus infinity was integrated into the potential living of zero. The infiniteness of universe became integrated into the life-giving force of zero. This mathematical realization was the greatest contribution that the Buddhist thought has made to the concept of eternal universal peace. Thus infinity, which is apparently not understood, is concealed within the living principle of zero. This concept of zero was borrowed by the Arabs who passed it on to Europe. This greatest mathematical invention is the gift which mankind owes to India. While mathematics is now well understood, its living philosophy is forgotten. It is the integration of the infinite universe to the potential zero, towards which man is advancing. While we understand this process, let us pay homage to the unknown genius who invented this great principle and made our calculation so easy and at the same time opened the path for the future realization of the integration of the entire universe.