法苑珠林 9.50

9.50

As the Ruiying jing states: at that time, King Śuddhodana had five hundred intelligent physiognomists sought out and summoned to divine the crown prince. The physiognomists said: 'This son of the king is truly the eye of the world. Just like pure gold, he possesses various primary and secondary marks that are extremely clear and pure. If he leaves the household life, he will attain all-knowledge; if he remains at home, he will become a wheel-turning sage king governing the four continents, the foremost of all.' They also addressed the king, saying: 'There is a brāhmaṇa seer named Asita, endowed with the five supernatural powers, who dwells on Mount Gandhamādana. He is able to resolve the king's doubts.' At that time, the king thought to himself: 'The route to Mount Gandhamādana is perilous and precipitous, impassable to humans. By what means can he be invited to come here?' As the king was thinking this, the seer Asita knew his intention from afar and came through the air to read the physiognomy for the king. When the king saw him arrive, his joy and solace were beyond words. The king and queen carried the crown prince out, wishing to pay homage to the seer. At that time, the seer stopped the king, saying: 'This is the most revered among devas and humans in the three realms; why should he be made to pay homage to me?' Thereupon that seer arose, joined his palms, and paid homage to the crown prince's feet. The king and queen addressed the seer, saying: 'We only wish that you carefully read the crown prince's marks.' When the seer had finished reading the marks, he suddenly wept with grief, unable to contain himself. When the king and queen saw the seer weep, their whole bodies trembled with fright and they gave rise to great anxiety and distress, like a small boat tossed by great waves. They immediately asked the seer: 'What ill omen does my son possess that causes you to weep?' He replied: 'The crown prince is fully endowed with the marks and signs; there is no ill omen. I only regret that my age has already reached one hundred and twenty years. Before long, I will pass away and be reborn in the Heaven of Non-Conception, unable to behold the rising of the Buddha or hear the scriptural Dharma; therefore I weep for myself. If a sentient being possesses the thirty-two marks, but they appear in improper places and remain indistinct for a long time, this person will certainly become a wheel-turning sage king. If all thirty-two marks are found in their proper places and are fully distinct, this person will certainly attain all-knowledge. I now observe that all the marks of the great king's crown prince are in their proper places and are extremely distinct; therefore I know with certainty that he will attain saṃbodhi.' After the seer spoke these words for the king, he took his leave and departed.