Miscellaneous Topics – 2410 

 

The Lion-Like Chin 

In his numerous past existences, the Bodhisatta abstained from frivolous speech 
that was like unsuccessful paddy, lacking substance. He had spoken what was 
right and suitable for the occasion; he had talked beneficially, truthfully and 
with reference to the Dhamma and advised in accordance with discipline. He 
had uttered solemnly what was meaningful and with evidence, as in judicial 
proceedings, worthy of keeping in the casket-like hearts of all hearers. 

As a result, corresponding to such deeds of merit, he enjoyed divine bliss. 
Reborn a human being, he acquired the 22

nd

 major mark of the “well developed 

chin suggestive of his imminent smile like that of a lion.” 

Because he was endowed with this major mark, had he remained a householder, 
he would have become a Universal Monarch. On renouncing the world, he 
became an omniscient Buddha, and he was invulnerable to attacks by his 
enemies within and without. 

Herein, his abstention from frivolous speech (

samphappalāpa

) was 1) the 

meritorious deed. Those who used to talk about foolish things have their chins 
concave, crooked or in any other unseemly shape so that many might know that 
they had spoken unsubstantial language with their jaws moving. The Bodhisatta, 
however, had well developed jaws so that Devas and 

[1696]

 humans might know 

of his abstention from frivolous talk and of his practice of speaking only what 
was fruitful. Therefore, the ability of the development of the jaws to disclose his 
practice of speaking, in the past, what was fruitful was 2) the power of the deed. 
The developed jaws with that ability was 3) the mark. His invulnerability against 
any of his enemies, within or without, was 4) the advantage of the mark. 

The Proportionately Set and Four White Pointed Teeth 

In his numerous past existences, the Bodhisatta abstained from wrong livelihood 
but had earned his living by a proper trade; he had avoided various dishonest 
methods, such as deceptive scales, baskets and coins; being unethical by taking 
bribes; being of immoral persuasion by cheating; convincing others with 
violence by cutting off of hands and legs, by taking life, binding, plundering or 
destroying towns and villages. 

As a result, corresponding to such deeds of merit, he enjoyed divine bliss. 
Reborn a human being, he acquired these two major marks: the 24

th

 mark of