EXPLANATIONS OF THE CAUSES THAT LED THE BUDDHA

TO ACQUIRE THE THIRTY-TWO MAJOR MARKS

1.   Thousand-spoke wheel-sign on feet and hands

-resulted from the respect that the Buddha had for his teacher, and the actions he performed to show that respect.

2.   Standing very steady

-resulted from the fact that the Buddha abided by the rules of conduct.

3.   Finely-webbed fingers and toes

-resulted from the Buddhaís four noble activities:

1. Rescuing sentient beings from danger or potential misfortune
2. Speaking words of compassion
3. All his many actions that benefited sentient beings.
4. Helping sentient beings make their positive activities even more meritorious

4.   Pliant hands and feet

-remaining soft and open as a result of the Buddhaís willingness to take all his belongings and give them to poor or unfortunate beings.

5.   Seven parts of the body all full:  two soles of the feet, two palms of the hands, two shoulders, and the crown of the head

-resulted from the Buddhaís forever giving sentient beings sufficient sustenance.

6.   Long slender fingers

-resulted from the Buddhaís eternal purpose:  to rescue all sentient beings from death.

7.   Full sized heels

-resulted from the Buddhaís commitment to protecting all beingsí lives forever.

8.   Excellent posture [body broad and straight]

-resulted from the fact that, even into eternity, the Buddha would never take the life of any sentient being.

9.   High-arched insteps

-resulted from the Buddha's commitment to practice true and beneficial methods dedicated to helping all sentient beings, and never adopting any practices contrary to this commitment.

10.  Soft and curly body hair

-resulted from the Buddhaís eternal commitment to listen to the teachings of the dharma and to teach the dharma to whoever came to listen.

11.  Thighs like a royal stag

-resulted from the Buddhaís own humility in listening to the advice of the Buddhas whenever they spoke to him.

12.  Hands reaching below his knees

-a demonstration of his generosity.  He always gave without the least pettiness when any being asked for his wealth.

13.  Well-retracted male organ

-a reflection of the fact that the Buddha established the monastic code that included the importance of maintaining the secrecy of the teachings.

14.  Golden-hued body

-a result of the Buddhaís giving all needy humans beds, chairs and blankets to comfort them.

15.  Soft smooth skin

-resulted from the Buddhaís eternal commitment to give sentient beings roofs over their heads.

16.  Every body hair curls

-resulted from the Buddha's commitment to lead a peaceful and balanced lifestyle forever, never tempted by neurosis and confused tendencies.

17.  A curl of white hair between the eyebrows emitting light

-a sign that the Buddha is always respectful to his parents, ancestors and teachers, and that he is committed to helping them and being responsible for them.

18.  Lion‑shaped body

-an indication that the Buddha would never use cruel words nor force people to do anything that they did not wish to.

19.  Full shoulders

-resulting from the Buddhaís promise that he would always speak kind and useful words to encourage the practice of dharma.

20.  Below the armpits, full and endowed

-resulted from the Buddhaís commitment to give all sentient beings whatever medicine they required.

21.  Saliva that improves the taste of all food

-resulted from the Buddhaís commitment forever to be available to help others in their sickness or misfortune.

22.  Height and span of arms of equal measure

-a sign that the Buddha is eternally committed to encouraging individuals to provide space for practitioners and to allow teachings to take place.

23.  Fleshy protuberance on the crown

-resulted from the Buddhaís own ceaseless efforts to build temples, stupas and other places where people could practice dharma.

24.  Tongue, long and broad

-a reflection of the fact that the Buddhaís words were kind and spoken in a graceful manner.

25.  Voice, deep and resonant

-in order that all beings in all realms might listen to and understand the dharma that the Buddha passed on.

26.  Lion-jawed

-resulted from the Buddhaís never uttering profanity.

27.  Teeth, pure white

-a mark of the Buddha's promise to benefit all sentient beings without prejudice and to use all available resources to do so.

28.  Teeth all very straight

-a reminder that the Buddha would never agree to make his living from the misfortune and suffering of others.

29.  No gaps between the teeth

-resulted from the Buddhaís never having spoken falsehoods.

30.  Forty teeth

-resulted from the Buddhaís never having spoken duplicitously to anyone and never having spread rumors.

31.  Eyes, deep blue

-a reflection of the fact that the Buddha treats each sentient being as though he or she were his nearest, dearest and only child.

32.  Eyelashes like a royal bull

-a result of the Buddhaís never expressing anger through his eyes.