A Buddha is a person who attains enlightenment, or full wisdom. Most people have heard of Shakyamuni who was a prince in India around 2,500 years ago. This prince was forbid to leave the castle as his father wished him not to experience suffering. Eventually, Shakyamuni, or Prince Siddhartha Gautama, left the castle 4 times seeing an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a monk.
Prince Siddhartha was very sad seeing such suffering and decided he had to do something about it. He kissed his wife and child then left the castle to go on a journey to find truth as a monk. He made friends with yogis and other ascetics, but Siddhartha got sick from lack of eating. He ate a little food, and the yogis were disappointed then left him.
Prince Siddhartha didn’t give up yet. He continued on his journey to end suffering. Siddhartha sat down under a Bodhi tree and closed his eyes and vowed he wouldn’t get up until he came to a conclusion. After a while Siddhartha opened his eyes. Having lived the opposites of too much and too little Siddhartha realized there needs to be a middle way.
Siddhartha sat thinking, “How does suffering start?” At first he was very confused and had many thoughts, but eventually his mind settled. Becoming calm and meditating, Siddhartha began to remember his past lives, how things are effected by karma, and how suffering arises. Suffering arises when others become greedy and only think of themselves. Realizing the origin of suffering was Siddhartha’s goal and it was finally completed.
Siddhartha then became Shakyamuni Buddha. An awakened person who understands how the universe works. At the age of 32, Shakyamuni attained nirvana and gained the 32 special marks of a Buddha.
1. Feet with a level sole. Buddha’s wear down their shoes evenly. A 1,000 spoked wheel on both soles of the feet.
2. Hands that have the 1,000 spoked wheel on the palms and only two lines. The hands are infinitely flexible.
3. Oval shaped heels. Our heels are round, but the Buddha’s are oval evenly distributing the body’s weight.
4. Fingers and toes that are all the same length. Even fingers and toes produces more strength.
5. Buddhas gain soft skin. The hands and feet are strong yet soft.
6. Net like lines on the hands which create the infinitely flexibility.
7. High ankles similar to a horse. High ankles produce the ability to give exceptional strength, leverage, and agility.
8. Calf muscles like an antelope.
9. Stand evenly and is able to touch the knees. Most people have a long body and short legs or a short body and long legs.
10. Sexual organs concealed by sheath. This is to avoid offense to anyone while naked.
11. Bright golden skin of a Buddha is sensitive. A prayer said to Amitabha Buddha starts, “Amitabha’s body is the color of gold, the splendor of his hallmarks has no peer…”
12. Skin so fine dust can’t attach itself.
13. Only one hair per pore on the body.
14. Blue body hairs that curl in a clockwise motion.
15. Good posture and stands upright showing firmness.
16. Dented and convexed skin in seven places. The places the skin in dented and convexed are back of the hands, sides of the feet, the shoulders, and the neck.
17. A lion like chest that allows the breathe to be strong. A Buddha’s metabolism is better too.
18. An indented back. There are no protruding bones on a Buddha’s back.
19. Equal distances between both hands and from head-to-toe. This is the perfect proportion to comfortable sit in meditation.
20. A round and smooth neck. The Buddha is said to have a melodious voice.
21. Sensitive taste buds that pick up all nutrients. The Buddha could survive for 49 days on seven lumps of rice after his enlightenment.
22. A lion like jaw to house the many teeth.
23. A Buddha has 40 teeth. These 40 teeth are permanent. We have 32 teeth which are not permanent.
24. The teeth of the Buddha are evenly spaced.
25. There are also no gaps in the 40 teeth of the Buddha.
26. The teeth were described as crystal canine teeth.
27. A long and wide tongue. The Buddha’s tongue could cover his face and touch his ears.
28. A god-like voice that was produced from his long tongue, perfect teeth, and round neck.
29. The Buddha’s eyes were blueish-black.
30. The blueish-black eyes are innocent like a calf.
31. White colored hair in the center of the eyebrows. This white hair is very soft and curls clockwise.
32. The face and brow are smooth.
These are only a few of the characteristics of a Buddha. There are 80 sub-characteristics that can be read here. A popular discussion is how exactly the Buddha received these marks.
Source: onmarkproductions.com
