Physical characteristics of a buddha

From Encyclopedia of Buddhism
Jump to navigation Jump to search
One of the first representations of the Buddha, 1st-2nd century CE, Greco-Buddhist art, Gandhara.

Physical characteristics of a Buddha - all buddhas are said to possess the following physical characteristics:[1]

Within Buddhist cosmology, these thirty-two major marks and eighty minor marks of are physical attributes possessed by both buddhas and chakravartins.

However, according to Gateway to Knowledge, the major and minor marks of the Buddha are superior to those of the Chakravartin, in that the marks on the Buddha are more clear and distinct.[2] Also, the Buddha has a few marks that are not found on the Chakravartin, such as the protuberance on the crown of the Buddha's head.[2]

Notes

  1. Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. Buddha.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mipham Rinpoche 2002, s.v. paragraphs 21.149-150.


Sources

External links