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.

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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 There are many indications that the Buddhas appearance was normal in every way : Upaka was impressed by the Buddhas 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 There are many indications that the Buddhas appearance was normal in every way : Upaka was impressed by the Buddhas 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 There are many indications that the Buddhas appearance was normal in every way : Upaka was impressed by the Buddhas 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 There are many indications that the Buddhas appearance was normal in every way : Upaka was impressed by the Buddhas 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.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 There are many indications that the Buddhas appearance was normal in every way : Upaka was impressed by the Buddhas 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."

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."

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."

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."

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana 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 Tall as a banyan tree Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Hands and feet are webbed Arms reaching down to the knees Male organs enclosed in a sheath Tall as a banyan tree Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Arms reaching down to the knees Male organs enclosed in a sheath Tall as a banyan tree Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Male organs enclosed in a sheath Tall as a banyan tree Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Reunites family, relatives and friends Tall as a banyan tree Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Reunites family, relatives and friends Considerate for the welfare of beings Forty teeth Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Reunites family, relatives and friends Considerate for the welfare of beings Abandoning wrong speech & rejoicing in peace Tongue can touch the forehead Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Reunites family, relatives and friends Considerate for the welfare of beings Abandoning wrong speech & rejoicing in peace Practicing blameless & agreeable speech Head like a turban

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 Good conduct of body, speech and mind Generosity, beneficial conduct, impartiality Knows the nature of beings Reunites family, relatives and friends Considerate for the welfare of beings Abandoning wrong speech & rejoicing in peace Practicing blameless & agreeable speech Foremost in skill and behaviour

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 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 Suttas message is that our conduct of body, speech and mind are far more important than our physical characteristics.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 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 Suttas message is that our conduct of body, speech and mind are far more important than our physical characteristics.

32 Marks of a Great Man Lakkhana Sutta DN. 30 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 Suttas message is that our conduct of body, speech and mind are far more important than our physical characteristics.

What did the Buddha look like? 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

What did the Buddha look like? 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

What did the Buddha look like? 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

What did the Buddha look like? "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

What did the Buddha look like? "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

What did the Buddha look like? "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

What did the Buddha look like? "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

What did the Buddha look like? "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

What did the Buddha look like? It doesnt really matter. What matters is the Dhamma!

Prepared by T Y Lee