English
Delighting in the desire for renunciation, the discerning one, Gods, humans, asuras, sakkas, and rakshasas. “Gandhabbas, nāgas, birds, four-footed creatures, The unsurpassed, honored by gods and humans; They surround him, the greatly renowned.” (3-5) The marks of long heels, etc. 206. “Furthermore, bhikkhus, in a former birth, a former existence, a former dwelling, the Tathāgata, having been a human being, abandoned the taking of life, abstained from the taking of life, laid aside rod and weapon, was conscientious, compassionate, and dwelt with sympathy for the welfare of all living beings. Because of the doing, accumulating, abundance, and vastness of that kamma… he, having passed away from there and come to this state, obtains these three marks of a great man: He has long heels, long fingers, and a straight body like Brahmā. “Endowed with these marks, if he dwells in a home, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch… What does he obtain as a king? He is long-lived, long-lasting, he maintains a long life, and it is not possible for any human enemy or adversary to deprive him of life prematurely. As a king, he obtains this… What does he obtain as a Buddha? He is long-lived, long-lasting, he maintains a long life, and it is not possible for enemies or adversaries—whether ascetics, brahmins, gods, Māras, Brahmās, or anyone in the world—to deprive him of life prematurely. As a Buddha, he obtains this.” The Blessed One spoke this meaning. 207. Therein it is said: “From the fear of killing and slaughter [mar Knowing the fear of death and being killed oneself, He refrained from killing others; By that good conduct he went to heaven, He experienced the result of his well-done deed. Having passed away, having come back here, He obtains here three marks; He becomes one with broad, long heels, Like Brahma, very straight, radiant, with a well-formed body. With beautiful arms, very well-proportioned, well-formed, His fingers are soft and tender; Long, with these three excellent marks of a man, They indicate a long life for the young man. If he becomes a householder, he lives long, If he goes forth, then even longer; He lives by developing power and success, Thus, this is a sign of long life. (6) The Mark of Seven Protuberances 208. "Furthermore, bhikkhus, in a former birth, a former existence, a former dwelling, when the Tathagata was previously a human being, he was a giver of excellent, delicious chewables, edibles, savories, lickables, and drinks. Having done that karma... (and so on)... having passed away from there and come to this state, he obtains this mark of a great man: he has seven protuberances, there are protuberances on seven places; there are protuberances on both hands, there are protuberances on both feet, there are protuberances on both shoulders, there is a protuberance on the nape. "Endowed with that mark, if he lives in a house, he becomes a Wheel-turning Monarch... (and so on)... What does he obtain as a monarch? He obtains excellent, delicious chewables, edibles, savories, lickables, and drinks. As a monarch, he obtains this... What does he obtain as a Buddha? He obtains excellent, delicious chewables, edibles, savories, lickables, and drinks. As a Buddha, he obtains this." The Blessed One said this meaning. 209. Therein it is said: "Chewables, edibles, And lickables, savories, He was a giver of supreme, Excellent tastes; By that good deed, In Nandana he long rejoices. Seven high states he attains here, And finds softness of hands and feet; Those skilled in signs and marks say, This is due to his gain of delicious food and drink. What is illuminating for a householder's purpose, He also attains renunciation then; The best of those who gain delicious food and drink, They say, is one who cuts all household bonds. (7-8) Marks of soft and webbed hands and feet 210. Monks, in a former birth, a former existence, a former dwelling, when the Tathāgata was formerly a human being, he was a gatherer of people by the four bases of sympathy – by giving, by kindly speech, by beneficial conduct, by impartiality. Having performed that action... (and so on)... having passed away from there and come to this state, he obtains these two marks of a great man. He has soft and tender hands and feet, and webbed hands and feet. Endowed with these marks, if he dwells in a house, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch... (and so on)... What does he gain as a king? He has a well-gathered retinue; well-gathered for him are brahmins and householders, townspeople and country folk, accountants and high officials, soldiers, doorkeepers, ministers, councilors, tributary kings, and princes. As a king, he gains this... What does he gain as a Buddha? He has a well-gathered retinue; well-gathered for him are monks, nuns, male lay followers, female lay followers, gods, humans, asuras, nāgas, and gandhabbas. As a Buddha, he gains this. The Blessed One spoke this meaning. 211. Therein it is said – Giving and beneficial conduct, And kindly speech and impartiality; A well-gathered performance for many, By these unblemished qualities one goes to heaven. Having passed away and come back here, He has soft hands and feet, and they are webbed; Exceedingly lovely, beautiful to behold, He obtains... The young, tender boy shines. He becomes obedient to his attendants, Established in greatness, well-restrained; Speaking kindly, desiring welfare and happiness, He practices virtues that are pleasing. And if he abandons all sensual pleasures, The Conqueror speaks the Dhamma-talk to the people; Delighted by his words, Having heard, they practice the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma. (9-10) The Marks of Protruding Ankles and Upward-Growing Hair 212. Monks, in a former birth, a former existence, a former dwelling, when the Tathāgata was previously a human being, he spoke words connected with benefit, connected with Dhamma. He instructed many people. He brought welfare and happiness to living beings, a Dhamma-sacrificer. Due to the performance of that action... having passed away from there and come to this state of being, he obtains these two marks of a Great Man. He has protruding ankles, and upward-growing hair. Endowed with these marks, if he dwells in a household, he becomes a Wheel-turning Monarch... What does he obtain as a king? He is chief, excellent, foremost, supreme, and pre-eminent among those who enjoy sensual pleasures. As a king, he obtains this. What does he obtain as a Buddha? He is chief, excellent, foremost, supreme, and pre-eminent among all beings. As a Buddha, he obtains this. The Blessed One spoke this meaning. 213. Therein it is said: Formerly, words connected with benefit and Dhamma, Uttering, he instructed many people. He was a bringer of welfare and happiness to living beings, A Dhamma-sacrificer, free from stinginess. By that well-performed action, He goes to a good destination, he rejoices there. And having come here, he obtains two marks, He attains supreme pre-eminence. He has hair that rises upwards, His ankle-joints are well-formed. they; Covered with flesh and blood, overlaid with skin, Beautiful above the knees was he. "If such a one dwells in a home, He attains eminence among those who enjoy sensual pleasures; There is none superior to him, He moves about, surpassing Jambudīpa. "Even in renunciation, with unexcelled endeavor, He attains eminence among all beings; There is none superior to him, He dwells, surpassing all the world." (11) The Characteristic of Antelope-like Calves 214. "Furthermore, bhikkhus, in a former birth, a former existence, a former abode, when the Tathāgata was a human being, he diligently taught a craft, or a science, or a conduct, or a skill—'How might these quickly understand, quickly practice, not suffer long?' Having performed that action…pe… having passed away from there and come to this state of being, he obtains this great man's characteristic. He has antelope-like calves. "Endowed with that characteristic, if he dwells in a home, he becomes a wheel-turning king…pe… what does he obtain as a king? Those things worthy of a king, royal attributes, royal enjoyments, things befitting a king, he quickly obtains. As a king, he obtains this… what does he obtain as a Buddha? Those things worthy of a recluse, recluse's attributes, recluse's enjoyments, things befitting a recluse, he quickly obtains. As a Buddha, he obtains this." The Blessed One spoke this meaning. 215. Therein it is said: "In crafts, sciences, conducts, and skills, He desires, 'How might they quickly understand?' That which is not for the harm of anyone, He teaches quickly, they do not suffer long. "Having done that wholesome action, leading to happiness, He obtains beautiful, well-formed calves; Round, well-developed, gradually rising, With upward-growing hairs, covered with fine skin. "They call that person 'antelope-calved,' By attainment, kh This is a swift mark: When he desires household attachments, He swiftly attains non-renunciation here. But if such a person goes forth, A discerning one, delighting in the desire for renunciation; Whatever is suitable and conducive to him, That he swiftly finds, a hero of excellent endeavor. (12) The Mark of Fine Skin 216. “And further, monks, in a former birth, a former existence, a former dwelling, the Tathāgata, when he was a human being, approached a recluse or a brahmin and asked: ‘What, venerable sir, is wholesome? What is unwholesome? What is blameworthy? What is blameless? What should be cultivated? What should not be cultivated? What, if I do it, would lead to my harm and suffering for a long time? Or what, if I do it, would lead to my welfare and happiness for a long time?’ Having performed that action… (as before)… having passed away from there, having come to this state, he obtains this mark of a Great Man: He has fine skin; because of the fineness of his skin, dust and dirt do not cling to his body.