Physical characteristics of a buddha

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:

• Mahapurusalaksana - thirty-two major marks of a great man
• Minor marks of a great person - eighty minor marks

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. 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.

Sources

• Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University 
• Mipham Rinpoche (2002), Gateway to Knowledge, vol. III, translated by Kunsang, Erik Pema, Rangjung Yeshe Publications 

External links

• Physical characteristics of the Buddha (Wikipedia)