What did the Buddha look like?. No representations of the Buddha were made for about four or five...

What did the Buddha look like?

No representations of the Buddha were made for about four or five centuries after the death of the Buddha.

The first Buddha statues were produced in about the 1st or 2nd century AD in Bactria (Afghanistan and northern Pakistan) perhaps as a result of Greek influence.

No representations of the Buddha were made for about four or five centuries after the death of the Buddha.

The first Buddha statues were produced in about the 1st or 2nd century AD in Bactria (Afghanistan and northern Pakistan) perhaps as a result of Greek influence.

32 Marks of a Great ManLakkhana Sutta DN. 30

Feet with level soles (flat feet)

Hands and feet are webbed

Arms reaching down to the knees

Male organs enclosed in a sheath

Proportioned like a banyan tree

Forty teeth

Tongue can touch the forehead

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Banyan Tree

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: banyan • Unusually shaped tree (Ficus

benghalensis, or F. indica) of the fig genus in the mulberry family, native to tropical Asia. Aerial roots that develop from its branches descend and take root in the soil to become new trunks. The banyan reaches a height of up to 100 ft (30 m) and spreads laterally indefinitely.

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

These 32 Marks were pre-Buddhist ideas and were probably a later import into Buddhism as a means of convincing the Brahmins/Hindus that the Buddha was worthy of their respect and worship.

It is unlikely for the Buddha to claim to have these outward physical characteristics when he clearly had the appearance of a normal human being.

These 32 Marks were pre-Buddhist ideas and were probably a later import into Buddhism as a means of convincing the Brahmins/Hindus that the Buddha was worthy of their respect and worship.

It is unlikely for the Buddha to claim to have these outward physical characteristics when he clearly had the appearance of a normal human being.

There are many indications that the Buddha’s appearance was normal in every way :

• Upaka was impressed by the Buddha’s clear faculties and radiant complexion.• King Ajatasattu unable to tell the Buddha from other monks. • Maha Kassapa said to have a strong resemblance to the Buddha.• Nanda often mistaken for the Buddha from a distance.

Dhatu-vibhanga Sutta MN 140

Ven. Pukkusati : “I have gone forth out of dedication to that Blessed One. That Blessed One is my teacher. It is of that Blessed One's Dhamma that I approve."

The Buddha : "But where, monk, is that Blessed One staying now? Have you ever seen that Blessed One before? On seeing him, would you recognize him?“

Ven. Pukkusati : "No, my friend, I have never seen the Blessed One before, nor on seeing him would I recognize him."

Tall as a banyan tree

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Good conduct of body, speech and mind

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Knows the nature of beings

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Reunites family, relatives and friends

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Considerate for the welfare of beings

Forty teeth

Head like a turban

Abandoning wrong speech & rejoicing in peace

Head like a turban

Practicing blameless & agreeable speech

Head like a turban

Practicing blameless & agreeable speech

Foremost in skill and behaviour

The early Buddhists were well aware of the Brahmanical concept that a ‘Great Man' could be known by his physical characteristics.

This concept was rejected by teachings such as the Lakkhana Sutta.

The Sutta’s message is that our conduct of body, speech and mind are far more important than our physical characteristics.

Now the Blessed One spoke to the Ven. Ananda : To some among you the thought will come: 'Ended is the word of the Master; we have a Master no longer.'

But it should not be so considered. For that which I have made known as the Dhamma and the Discipline, that shall be your Master when I am gone.

Maha-Parinibbana Sutta DN. 16

"For a long time, Lord, I have wanted to come and set eyes on the Blessed One, but I had not the strength in this body to come and see the Blessed One.“

"What is there to see in this vile body?

He who sees the Dhamma, sees me; he who sees me, sees the Dhamma.

Truly seeing the Dhamma, one sees me;seeing me, one sees the Dhamma.“

Vakkali Sutta Sn 22.87

It doesn’t really matter.

What matters is the Dhamma!

Prepared by T Y Lee

www.justbegood.net

What did the Buddha look like?. No representations of the Buddha were made for about four or five...

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