法苑珠林 9.56

9.56

As the *Fo benxing jing* states: Then King Śuddhodana again addressed the ṛṣi, saying: 'Great Master, my intention is to keep my son always with me. By what expedient means, while he is still in his youth, can I prevent him from forsaking me?' The ṛṣi Asita again said to the King: 'Great King, I truly cannot decisively specify such an expedient means so as to create an obstruction.' Then King Śuddhodana again spoke to the ṛṣi, saying: 'Great Master, listen well! I shall now employ various expedient means. Having devised these expedients, I shall not allow my son, from his youth up to his prime, to be permitted to depart for a moment, forsaking me to go forth from the household life.' The ṛṣi Asita then asked the King: 'Great King, on what account do you speak such words today?' King Śuddhodana replied to the ṛṣi Asita: 'Venerable Master, you should know: all the physiognomists throughout my realm have told me that if this boy remains at home, he will become a wheel-turning sacred king. On account of this circumstance, I speak in this manner.' The ṛṣi Asita again said to the King: 'Great King, you should know: those physiognomists are all speaking great falsehoods! Why? Such supreme marks are not the marks of a wheel-turning sacred king. Now this boy possesses the hundred auspicious marks and the eighty secondary signs, surpassing, distinctive, exceptionally fine, distinct, and luminous, all completely fulfilled.' King Śuddhodana asked the ṛṣi: 'Great Master, what are the eighty secondary signs?' Then Asita fully addressed the King (The full explanation of the eighty secondary signs is as in the sūtra; here it is explained according to the *Śrīkaṇṭha-sūtra* [Sheng tianwang jing]). Thus the *Sheng tianwang jing* states that the Buddha himself said: 'As for the eighty secondary signs: (1) The crown of the head cannot be seen; (2) The crown bone is firm and solid; (3) The forehead is broad, flat, and regular; (4) The eyebrows are high, long, shaped like the crescent moon, and the color of deep blue lapis lazuli; (5) The eyes are wide and long; (6) The nose is prominent, round, and straight, and the nostrils are not exposed; (7) The ears are thick, wide, and long, with fully developed lobes; (8) The body is firm and solid like Nārāyaṇa's; (9) The parts of the body are indestructible; (10) The joints of the body are firm and compact; (11) Turning the entire body to look back, he is like an elephant king; (12) The body possesses radiance; (13) The body is harmonious and erect; (14) He is ever youthful and never ages; (15) The body is always lustrous; (16) The body protects and guards itself without relying on others; (17) The parts of the body are complete; (18) Consciousness is fulfilled; (19) Deportment is fully perfected; (20) Majestic virtue resounds afar; (21) He faces all and turns his back on none; (22) His dwelling place is secure, without peril or agitation; (23) The mouth is well-proportioned, neither too large nor too long; (24) The face is broad and flat; (25) The face is round and pure like the full moon; (26) There is no haggard countenance; (27) His advancing and stopping are like an elephant king; (28) His demeanor is like a lion king; (29) His gait is like a goose king; (30) The head is shaped like a madana fruit; (31) The complexion of the body is radiant and pleasing; (32) The insteps are thick; (33) The nails are like red copper leaves; (34) When walking, impressions of wheel-marks appear on the ground; (35) The lines on the fingers are ornate; (36) The lines on the fingers are distinct and not obscured; (37) The lines on the hands are distinct and straight; (38) The lines on the hands are long; (39) The lines on the hands are unbroken; (40) The hands and feet are as desired; (41) The hands and feet are red and white, like lotus blossoms; (42) The orifices are completely endowed with marks; (43) His stride does not fall short; (44) His stride does not overshoot; (45) His stride is calm and even; (46) The navel is deep and thick, shaped like a coiled snake, round and turning to the right; (47) The color of the hands is bluish-red like a peacock's neck; (48) The hair is lustrous and pure; (49) The body hairs curl to the right; (50) The mouth emits supreme fragrance, as do all the body hairs; (51) The color of the lips is red and moist like the bimba fruit; (52) The moistness of the lips is well-matched; (53) The tongue is thin in shape; (54) All delight in beholding him; (55) He speaks harmoniously and pleasantly according to the minds of sentient beings; (56) In all places his words are nothing but good; (57) Seeing people, he greets them first; (58) The voice is neither high nor low, matching the delight of sentient beings; (59) He preaches the Dharma according to the languages of sentient beings; (60) He preaches the Dharma without attachment; (61) He looks upon sentient beings equally; (62) He observes first and acts afterward; (63) Emitting a single sound, he answers the voices of the multitude; (64) In preaching the Dharma, the sequence is always based on causes and conditions; (65) There are no sentient beings who can fathom his marks completely; (66) Those who gaze upon him never tire; (67) He is fully endowed with all voices; (68) He displays auspicious complexions; (69) Obstinate persons who see him are subdued; frightened persons who see him attain peace and security; (70) The voice is clear and pure; (71) The body does not lean or shake; (72) The parts of the body are grand; (73) The body is tall; (74) The body is undefiled; (75) The light enveloping the body extends one zhang on every side; (76) Light illuminates his body as he walks; (77) The body is pure; (78) The light and complexion are lustrous like a blue pearl; (79) The hands and feet are plump; (80) The hands and feet bear the śrīvatsa mark.' According to the *Bao nü jing* (Sūtra of the Precious Maiden) spoken by the Buddha: Thereupon the Precious Maiden asked the World-Honoured One: 'The Tathāgata possesses the thirty-two marks of a great personage. In past existences and former lives, what merits did you cultivate to attain these marks spread throughout the body?' The Buddha told the Precious Maiden: 'In ancient kalpas I cultivated immeasurable merits and brought together myriad practices, whereby I attained these marks spread throughout my body. Now I will briefly summarize the essentials. That the Tathāgata's feet stand firm and level—this mark of a great personage—is because in ancient kalpas I firmly encouraged and aided others without retreating, and never concealed the merits of others.'