The Marks of a Great Man Thirty-Two Marks of A Buddha

And wise Teachers of other communities know these thirty-two marks, but they do not know the karmic reasons for the gaining of them.

A.) Monks, in whatever former life, former existence or dwelling-place The Tathāgata, being born a human being, undertook mighty deeds to wholesome purpose, unwavering in wholesome conduct of body, speech and mind, in generosity, self-discipline, observance of the fast-day, in honoring parents, Ascetics and Brāhmins and the head of the clan, and in other highly meritorious acts; by performing that (wholesome) Kamma, heaping it up, lavishly and abundantly, at the breaking-up of the body after death he was reborn in a happy state, in a heavenly world, where he was endowed beyond other heavenly beings in ten respects: in length of heavenly life, beauty, happiness, splendor, influence, and in heavenly sights, sounds, smells, flavors and contacts. Falling away from there and coming to be reborn here on earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man:

(1) feet with level tread, so that he places his foot evenly on the ground, lifts it evenly, and touches the ground evenly with the entire sole. Being endowed with this mark, ... He cannot be impeded by any enemy or adversary from within or without, from craving, anger, or ignorance (unknowing of true reality), nor by any Ascetic or Brāhmin, any heavenly being, Māra or Brahma (God), or any being in the world.

B.) Monks, in whatever former life...The Tathāgata, being born a human being, lived for the happiness of the many, as a dispeller of fright and terror, provider of lawful protection and shelter, and supplying all necessities, by performing that (wholesome) Kamma, ... was reborn in a happy state, a heavenly world …  Falling away from there and coming to be reborn here on earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (2) on the soles of his feet are wheels of a thousand spokes, complete with an outer-wheel and hub.

Being endowed with this mark, ... He has a large community: he is surrounded by male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and Gandhabbas.

C.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata, being born a human being, rejecting the taking of life and abstaining from it, and laying aside stick and sword, resided, kind and compassionate, having friendship and compassion for all living beings, by performing that (wholesome) Kamma, was reborn in a happy state … Falling away … from there and coming to be reborn on earth, he acquired these three marks of the Great Man: (3) projecting heels, (4) long fingers and toes, and (15) an excellently straight body.

Being endowed with these marks, ... He is long-lived, long-enduring, attaining a great age, … no foe, whether an Ascetic or Brāhmin, a heavenly being, Māra or Brahma, or anyone in the world can possibly take his life.

D.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata became a donor of fine food, delicious and tasty, hard and soft, and of drinks, by performing that (wholesome) Kamma, … he was reborn in a heavenly world … Falling away from there and being reborn here on earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (16) the seven convex surfaces, on both hands, both feet, both shoulders and his trunk.

Being endowed with this mark, He receives fine food and drinks.

E.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata made himself beloved through the four bases of compassion: generosity, pleasing speech, beneficial conduct, and impartiality, … on returning to this earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (5) soft and tender hands and feet, and (6) net-like hands and feet.

Being endowed with these two marks, … All his Students are well-disposed to him: male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas, and gandhabbas.

F.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata became a speaker to the people about their welfare, about Teachings, explaining this to people and being a bearer of welfare and peacefulness to beings, a dispenser of Teachings, … returning to this earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (7) high-raised ankles, and (14) upward-growing body-hairs.

Being endowed with these marks, ... As a Buddha, he becomes the chief, foremost, highest, supreme among all beings.

G.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata became a skilled advocate of a craft, a science, a way of conduct or action, thinking: What can I learn quickly and acquire, quickly practice, without undue weariness? … on returning to earth, he acquires this mark of the Great Man: (8) legs like an antelope’s.

Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he quickly acquires whatever things are fitting for a ruler, the things that pertain to a ruler, delight him and are appropriate to him. As a Buddha, likewise.

H.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata approached an Ascetic or Brāhmin and asked: Sir, what is the wholesome, what is the unwholesome? What is blameworthy, what is not? What course is to be followed, what is not? What, if I do it, will be to my lasting sorrow and harm, what to my lasting peacefulness? ... on returning to this earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (12) his skin is so delicate and smooth that no dust can adhere to his body.

Being endowed with this mark, … he will have great wisdom, extensive wisdom, joyous wisdom, swift wisdom, penetrative wisdom, discerning wisdom, and among all beings there will be none equal to him or wholesome to him in wisdom.

I.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata lived without anger, perfectly unruffled, and even after many words had been spoken was not abusive, or agitated, or wrathful, or aggressive, displaying neither anger nor hatred nor resentment, but was in the habit of giving away fine, soft rugs, cloaks, fine linen, cotton, silk and woolen stuffs, … on returning to this earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (11) a bright complexion, the color of gold.

Being endowed with this mark, ... he will receive such fine stuffs.

J.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata reunited those long-lost with relatives, friends and companions who had missed them, reunited mother with child and child with mother, father with child and child with father, brother with brother, brother with sister and sister with brother, making them one again with great rejoicing, … on returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (10) his male organs are enclosed in a sheath.

Being endowed with this mark, … he will have numerous sons (disciples), more than a thousand sons, powerfully built heroes, crushers of the enemy host.

K.) Monks, in whatever former life … The Tathāgata, considering the welfare of people, knew the nature of each, knew each one himself, and knew how each one differed: “This one deserves such-and-such, that one deserves so and-so”, so he distinguished them, … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (19) he is proportioned like a banyan-tree, and (9) standing, without bending, he can touch and rub his knees with both hands.

Being endowed with these marks, … he will be wealthy and rich, and these will be his treasures: confidence, morality, moral wrongdoing, moral concern, learning, generosity and wisdom.

L.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata ... interested in the welfare of the many, their advantage, comfort, freedom from bondage, thinking how they might increase in confidence, morality, learning, generosity, in Teachings, in wisdom, in wealth and possessions, in two-legged animals and four-legged animals, in wives and children, in servants, workers and helpers, in relatives, friends and acquaintances … on returning to earth he acquired these three marks of the Great Man: (17) the front part of his body is like a lion’s, (18) there is no hollow between his shoulders, and (20) his bust is evenly rounded.

Being endowed with these marks, … he cannot lose anything: confidence, morality, learning, generosity or wisdom - losing nothing, he will succeed in all things.

M.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata … was one who avoided harming beings by hand, by stones, stick or sword, … on returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (21) he has a perfect sense of taste. Whatever he touches with the tip of his tongue he tastes in his throat, and the taste is dispersed everywhere.

Being endowed with this mark, ... he will suffer little distress or sickness, his digestion will be good, being neither too cold nor too hot. As a Buddha likewise, he is also equable and tolerant of struggle.

N.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata … was accustomed to look at people not with an attitude, suspicion, or disapproval, indirectly or secretively but directly, openly and straight-forwardly, and with a kindly glance, … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (29) deep blue eyes, and (30) eyelashes like a cow’s.

Being endowed with these marks, ... he will be looked upon with love by the common people; he will be popular with and loved by male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas.

O.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata … became the foremost in skilled behavior, a leader in Right Action of body, speech and mind, in generosity, virtuous conduct (moral conduct), observance of fasts, in honoring father and mother, Ascetics and Brāhmins and the head of the clan, and in various other proper activities, … on returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (32) a head like a royal turban.

Being endowed with this mark, … he will receive the loyalty of male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas, and gandhabbas.

P.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata, … rejecting false speech, put away lies and became a truth-speaker, wedded to the truth. reliable, consistent, not deceiving the world, … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (13) his body-hairs separate, one to each pore, and (31) the hair between his brows white and soft like cotton-down. 

Being endowed with these marks, ... he will be obeyed by male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas

Q.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata, … rejecting slander, abstained from it, not repeating there what he had heard here to the detriment of these, or repeating what he had heard there to the detriment of those ... Thus he was a reconciler of those at variance and an encourager of those at one, rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who spoke up for peace … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (23) forty teeth, and (25) no spaces between the teeth.

Being endowed with these marks, … his followers: male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas will not be divided among themselves.

R.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata, … rejecting harsh speech, abstained from it, spoke what was blameless, pleasing to the ear, agreeable, reaching the heart, courteous, pleasing and attractive to the multitude (many people), … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (27) his tongue was very long, and (28) he had a Brahma-like (God-like) voice, like the karavika bird.

Being endowed with these marks, ... he will have a persuasive voice: all his Students: male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas will take his words to heart.

S.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata, … rejecting idle chatter, spoke at the right time, what was correct and to the point, of Teachings and discipline, and what was bound up with profit…on returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (22) jaws like a lion’s.

Being endowed with this mark,...he cannot be overcome by any foe or hostile thing from within or without, by craving, anger or ignorance (unknowing of true reality), by any Ascetic or Brāhmin, heavenly being, Māra, Brahma (God) or anything in the world.

T.) Monks, in whatever former life The Tathāgata, … rejecting wrong livelihood, lived by Right Livelihood, refraining from cheating with false weights and measures, from bribery and corruption, deception and insincerity, from wounding, killing, imprisoning, lightway robbery, and taking goods by force, … on returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (24) even teeth, and (26) very bright canine teeth.

Being endowed with these marks, ... as a Buddha, his Students … male and female Ordained Practitioners, male and female Household Practitioners, heavenly beings and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas will be pure.

(Reference: DN 30)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares certain aspects of his existence as a Buddha and what lead to the acquiring of these characteristics.

From The Buddha’s description of these qualities, a Practitioner can learn wholesome qualities to cultivate and practice in one’s life practice, to further develop on The Path to Enlightenment. The Buddha is providing qualities he cultivated over several lifetimes that led to him becoming a Buddha.

A Buddha’s journey to Enlightenment is not started and concluded in just one lifetime. Instead, a Buddha attains Enlightenment through a pursuit of wisdom over several lifetimes as described in this Teaching.

Due to the accumulation of wisdom over several lifetimes, the individual who is a Buddha will be able to attain Enlightenment on their own without the guidance of any Teachers, guide countless beings to Enlightenment based on their independently discovered Teachings, and leave The Teachings in a condition that upon their death countless more beings will be able to attain Enlightenment with their Teachings.

A Buddha’s deep wisdom is acquired through their own independent journey to Enlightenment and then he will choose to share that wisdom for the remaining time of his life, out of compassion for all other beings.

Compassion (Pāli: karuṇā) is concern for the misfortunes of others.

Detailed explanation of moral wrongdoing and moral concern is available in this same book series found in Chapter 25 of the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).