Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.1808

v2.c31.1808

Buddhaghosa says⁶ that when the time comes for the birth of a Buddha, the Suddhāvāsa Brahmās visit the earth in the guise of brahmins and teach men about these bodily signs as forming part of the Vedic teaching so that thereby auspicious men may recognize the Buddha. On his death this knowledge generally vanishes. He defines a Mahāpurisa as one who is great owing to his paṇidhi, samādāna, ñāna and karuṇā. A Mahāpurisa can be happy in all conditions of climate.⁷