法界次第初門 3.171

3.171

今此三十二通云相者，相名有所表，發攬而可別，名之為相。如來應化之體現此三十二相，以表法身眾德圓極，使見者愛敬，知有勝德可崇，人天中尊，眾聖之王，故現三十二相也。

Now, these thirty-two are collectively called 'marks' (lakṣaṇa): a mark denotes that which signifies something; what manifests and can be grasped and distinguished is called a 'mark.' The body of response and transformation of the Tathāgata manifests these thirty-two marks to symbolize that the manifold virtues of the Dharmakāya are consummate and ultimate, causing those who see them to feel love and reverence, knowing that there is supreme virtue to be venerated, the most honored among humans and gods, the king of all sages; hence he manifests the thirty-two marks.