[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [法苑珠林](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122) › 9.84 # 法苑珠林 9.84 法苑珠林 9.84 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [9.84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9.84) 又新婆沙論問。相是何義。答標幟義是相義。殊勝義是相義。祥瑞義是相義。問何故丈夫相唯三十二不增不減耶。脇尊者說曰。若增若減。俱亦生疑不違法相。說有三十二者。世間共許。是吉祥義。數不增減。若三十二相莊嚴佛身則於世間最勝無比。若當減者便力闕少。若更增者則為雜亂。皆非殊妙。故唯爾所三十二丈夫相也。 > Furthermore, the \*New Mahāvibhāṣā-śāstra\* asks: What is the meaning of 'mark' (\*lakṣaṇa\*)? It answers: The meaning of a sign or emblem is the meaning of 'mark'. The meaning of being supremely distinguished is the meaning of 'mark'. The meaning of an auspicious omen is the meaning of 'mark'. Question: Why are the marks of a Great Person only thirty-two, neither increasing nor decreasing? The Venerable Pārśva stated: Whether increasing or decreasing, both would give rise to doubt without violating the characteristics of dharmas. Saying that there are thirty-two is what is mutually accepted in the world as having an auspicious meaning, and the number neither increases nor decreases. If the thirty-two marks adorn the Buddha's body, then in the world it is supreme and incomparable. If they were reduced, power would be deficient; if they were further increased, it would be disorderly and confused. Neither would be extraordinarily sublime. Therefore there are only these thirty-two marks of a Great Person. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 9.83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9.83) - [Next: 9.85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9.85) - [Up: 9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122~en-mt.9.84) — English, machine translation --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9.84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.9.84) · Pramāṇa