Many different sutras contain descriptions of the thirty-two marks and eighty characteristics, each with slight variations.
The eighty notable characteristics are:
- Top of his head not visible to others.
- A prominent nose with well-concealed nostrils.
- Eyebrows shaped like a new moon.
- Large, round ears that are long and thick.
- A strong body.
- Closely-fit bones.
- When he turns, his whole body turns, just like a majestic elephant.
- Leaves imprints as he walks.
- Red fingernails.
- Full, rounded knees.
- A clean body.
- Soft, smooth skin.
- Straight, erect posture.
- Round, slender fingers.
- Fine fingerprints.
- No visible veins.
- Well-concealed heel bones.
- A supple, smooth body.
- A round, full body.
- A straight, steady, focused gait.
- A dignified appearance.
- Peaceful and calm deportment.
- A stable posture when standing.
- A majestic presence.
- A pleasing appearance.
- A perfectly sized face.
- Unperturbed demeanor.
- A beautiful, complete face.
- Red lips.
- A voice that carries.
- A deep, round navel.
- Hair that curls to the right.
- Long arms that reach below the knees.
- Flexible arms and legs.
- Clear, straight palm-lines.
- Fine, long palm-lines.
- Unbroken palm-lines.
- Brings joy to those who see him.
- A perfect, broad face.
- A face full like the moon.
- Peaceful, joyful speech.
- Fragrant pores.
- Fragrant breath.
- Appearance awe-inspiring like that of a lion.
- Gait steady like that of an elephant.
- Steps airy like that of a goose king.
- A well-formed forehead.
- A clearly audible voice.
- White teeth.
- A bright red tongue.
- A long, thin tongue.
- Thick body hair.
- Soft, clean body hair.
- Big, wide eyes.
- A clean, unobstructed airway connecting the seven openings of the face.
- Lotus-colored hands and feet.
- A well-concealed navel.
- An abdomen that does not protrude.
- A well-sized abdomen.
- Steady, stable body.
- A sturdy, stable body.
- A large frame.
- Soft, clean hands and feet.
- A ten-foot halo.
- A glowing halo.
- Treats all sentient beings equally.
- A majestic appearance.
- Does not slight any sentient being.
- An even voice.
- Able to vary his teaching methods.
- Teaches according to the circumstances.
- Though speaking with one voice, sentient beings receive many teachings according to their needs.
- Adapts his teachings according to the spiritual maturity of the listener.
- Can be seen with endlessly different appearances.
- An appearance one wishes to see again.
- Long, healthy hair.
- Long, neat hair.
- Neatly curled hair.
- Dark-colored hair.
- A virtuous appearance.
This list is from Seeing the Buddha, by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.
The Avatamsaka Sutra says, ‘The mind controls everything.’ In order to properly control body and speech, we must come to understand our minds. If we can control our minds, we can do anything.Master Xingkong (780-862) wrote a wonderful passage that expresses this point very well. He said, “The practice of Buddhism can be compared to presiding over a walled city; during the day, thieves and Read more
The occurrence of a disease is closely related to one’s mental health, physical health, spiritual health, behavior, habits, living environment, and even the society and culture in which one lives. Harmonizing all of these elements and engaging in specific practices can help to bring about optimum health and prevent illness. Gaining awareness about the cause of illness and conducting our lives in a manner that Read more
It is my hope that our Buddhist monks will all become monks who give support in all directions and not become monks who live off all directions. Whoever it may be, the monastic followers or the lay disciples, although we have not yet attained enlightenment, we can still broadly make affinities with others first, so as to become aspiring bodhisattvas who will ensure that “Buddhism Read more
Though the worlds that we see are fundamentally a product of our own minds, they usually do not appear this way to us. Like images in an intense dream, our perceptions appear to be wholly real to us, and not to have been generated by our own mental activity. For this reason, the Buddha taught many ways to help us comprehend the true nature of Read more
When there is hope, there is a future. The worst tragedy in life is to live without hope for the future. When there is hope, there is a future. One of the mottoes of the Buddha’s Light International Association is “to give others hope.” That is the highest act of benevolence. On the other hand, to disappoint and render others hopeless is the cruelest act.People live Read more
We should not look at life just as the limited span of one person’s life; we should look at the larger life of the universe. While a person’s life may only span a limited number of years, its value is everlasting. Read more
If we want to understand what the Dharma teaches us about building affinity and living in harmony with others, we must first understand the four great all-embracing virtues. The Buddha teaches that for us to realize our true capacity of connecting with and serving our fellow citizens, we have to first build a good rapport, and the four virtues are tools to that end. The four Read more
If you keep your practice steady,morning and night, summer and winter,there is nothing you can not doand nothing that can harm you.— Upasakasila SutraThe Importance of Being SteadyLaziness and fear of work will get you into trouble no matter where they appear. Laziness is a basic animal tendency that must be confronted the moment it starts. Once you begin to allow yourself to be lazy, Read more
It is only through loving-kindness and compassion that we can find room in our hearts to forgive others. It is only through our willingness to let go of resentment that we can find a way to magnanimity. Read more
To “commit” is to give assurance to others and to make a conscientious effort to deliver a promise. To instill credibility and trustworthiness, we must honor our words. Confucius once said, “One without credibility is like a large vehicle without a brake pedal, or a small carriage without axles. How can one go anywhere?”Living up to one’s word is a basic courtesy. In past agricultural Read more
In the Buddha’s teachings, there are four kinds of friends: friends who treat you like a flower, friends who act like a balance, friends who are like the mountains, and friends who are like the earth.Friends who treat you like a flowerWe all enjoy flowers, especially when they are fresh. We put them in vases to decorate our homes, we give them to our loved Read more
I once copied out a sutra in blood by pricking myself, and once I also burned my arm as an offering. I once remained silent for a year without speaking, and once I also kept my eyes closed for three months without seeing. Later on, I would occasionally open my eyes and suddenly feel: Oh, there are still verdant mountains; there are still trees; the Read more