​DN 30 Lakkhana Sutta: The Marks of a Great Man 

Thus have i heard. 

Once the Lord Buddha was staying at Savatthi, in Jetavana, Anathapindika's park. The Lord said: 'There are, monks, these thirty-two marks peculiar to a Great Man. That Great Man who possesses them, only have two careers:
1. If he lives the household life, he will become a ruler, a wheel-turning righteous monarch of the law, conqueror of the four quarters, who has established the security of his realm and is possessed of the seven treasures. These are: the Wheel Treasure, the Elephant Treasure, the Horse Treasure, the Jewel Treasure, the Woman Treasure, the Householder Treasure, and the Counsellor Treasure. He has more than a thousand sons who are heroes, of heroic stature, conquerors of the hostile army. He dwells having conquered this sea-giant land without stick or sword, by the law.
2. But if he goes forth from the household life into homelessness (renunciation and become a monk), he will become an Arahant, a fully-enlightened Buddha, who has drawn back the veil from the world.

Buddha : "What are these thirty-two marks?"
(1) He has feet with level tread.
(2) On the soles of his feet are wheels with a thousand spokes, complete with felloe and hub.
(3) He has projecting heels.
(4) He has long fingers and toes.
(5) He has soft and tender hands and feet.
(6) His hands and feet are net-like.
(7) He has high-raised ankles.
(8) His legs are like an antelope's.
(9) Standing and without bending, he can touch and rub his knees with either hand.
(10) His male organs are enclosed in a sheath.
(11) His complexion is bright, the color of gold.
(12) His skin is delicate and so smooth that no dust can adhere to his body.
(13) His body-hairs are separate, one to each pore.
(14) His body-hairs grow upwards, each one bluish-black like collyrium, curling in rings to the right.
​(15) His body is divinely straight.
(16) He has the seven convex surfaces.
(17) The front part of his body is like a lion's.
(18) There is no hollow between his shoulders.
(19) He is proportioned like a banyan-tree: the height of his body is the same as the span of his outstretched arms, and conversely.
(20) His has evenly rounded chest.  
(21) He has a perfect sense of taste.
(22) He has jaws like a lion's.
(23) He has forty teeth.
(24) His teeth are even.
(25) There are no spaces between his teeth.
(26) His canine teeth are very bright.
(27) His tongue is very long.
(28) He has a Brahma-like voice, like that of the karavika-bird.
(29) His eyes are deep blue.
(30) He has eyelashes like a cow's.
(31) The hair between his eyes is white and soft like cotton- down.
(32) His head is like a royal turban.

Sages of other communions know these thirty-two marks, but they do not know the kammic reasons for the gaining of them. (Then Buddha explained the role of kamma that result in these 32 marks to appear in the great man as well as the resultant benefit of the marks below): 

Buddha : 'Monks, in whatever former life, former existence or dwelling-place the Tathagata, being born a human being, undertook mighty deeds to good purpose, unwavering in good conduct of body, speech and thought, in generosity, self-discipline, observance of the fast-day, in honoring parents, ascetics and Brahmins and the head of the clan, and in other highly meritorious acts; by performing that kamma, heaping it up lavishly and abundantly. Thus after death he was reborn in a happy state, in a heavenly world, where he was endowed beyond other devas in ten respects: in length of heavenly life, beauty, happiness, splendor, influence, and in heavenly sights, sounds, smells, tastes and contacts. Falling away from there and coming to be reborn here on earth, he thus acquired this mark of the Great Man: (1) feet with level tread, so that he places his foot evenly on the ground, lifts it evenly, and touches the ground evenly with the entire sole.  

Being endowed with this mark, if he keeps to the household life, he will become a wheel-turning monarch conquering without stick or sword, but by justice, he rules over this earth as far as its ocean-boundaries, a land open, uninfested by brigands, free from jungle, powerful, prosperous, happy and free from perils. As a ruler, how does he benefit? He cannot be impeded by any human foe with ill-intent. That is his benefit as a ruler. And if he goes forth into homelessness (become a monk), he will become a fully-enlightened Buddha. As such, how does he benefit? He cannot be impeded by any enemy or adversary from within or without, from greed, hatred or delusion, nor by any ascetic or Brahmin, any deva, mara or Brahma, or any being in the world. That is his benefit as a Buddha.' This was what the Lord declared. "

​ Buddha: "Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata being born a human being, lived for the happiness of the many, as a dispeller of fright and terror, provider of lawful protection and shelter, supplying all necessities, by performing that kamma, he was reborn in a happy state. Falling away from there and coming to be reborn here on earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (2) on the soles of his feet are wheels of a thousand spokes, complete with felloe and hub.

Being endowed with this mark, if he keeps to the household life, he will become a wheel-turning monarch.  As a ruler, how does he benefit? He has a great retinue: he is surrounded by Brahmin householders, citizens and villagers, treasurers, guards, doorkeepers, ministers, tributary kings, tenants- in-chief, and pages. That is his benefit as a ruler. And if he goes forth into homelessness, he will become a fully-enlightened Buddha. How does he benefit? He has a large retinue: he is surrounded by monks, nuns, male and female lay-followers, devas and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas. That is his benefit as a Buddha. This was what the Lord declared. "

​Buddha: 'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata being born a human being, rejecting the taking of life and abstaining from it, and laying aside stick and sword, dwelt, kind and compassionate, having friendship and sympathy for all living beings, by performing that kamma, he was reborn in a happy state. Falling away from there and coming to be reborn on earth, he acquired these three marks of the Great Man: (3) projecting heels, (4) long fingers and toes, and (15) a divinely straight body.  Being endowed with these marks, if he keeps to the household life, as a ruler, how does he benefit? He is long- lived, long-enduring, attaining a great age and during that time no human foe can possibly take his life. As a Buddha, how does he benefit? He is long-lived, no foe, whether an ascetic or Brahmin, a deva, mara or Brahma, or anyone in the world can possibly take his life. That is his benefit as a Buddha. This was what the Lord declared. "

​Buddha: 'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata became a giver of fine food, delicious and tasty, hard and soft, and of drinks, by performing that kamma, he was reborn in a heavenly world.Falling away from there and being reborn here on earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (16) the seven convex surfaces, on both hands, both feet, both shoulders and his trunk. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler, how does he benefit? He receives fine food and drinks.As a Buddha, likewise. This is what the Lord said. "

​'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata made himself beloved through the four bases of sympathy: generosity, pleasing speech, beneficial conduct and impartiality and on returning to this earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (5) soft and tender hands and feet, and (6) net-like hands and feet. Being endowed with these two marks, as a ruler, how does he benefit? All his retinue are well-disposed to him: Brahmin householders, citizens and villagers, treasurers, guards, doorkeepers and pages. As a Buddha, how does he benefit? All his followers are well-disposed to him: monks, nuns, male and female lay-followers, devas and humans, asuras, nagas, gandhabbas. That is his benefit as a Buddha.This is what the Lord said. "

'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata became a speaker to the people about their welfare, about Dhamma, explaining this to people and being a bearer of welfare and happiness to beings, a dispenser of Dhamma. After death, on returning to this earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (7) high-raised ankles, and (14) upward-growing body- hairs. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler, how does he benefit? He becomes the chief, foremost, highest, supreme among the unrenounced. As a Buddha, he becomes the chief, foremost, highest, supreme among all beings. That is his benefit as a Buddha. This was what the Lord declared. " 

​'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata became a skilled exponent of a craft, a science, a way of conduct or action, thinking: "What can I learn quickly and acquire, quickly practice, without undue weariness?" Upon returning to earth after death, he acquires this mark of the Great Man: (8) legs like an antelope's. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he quickly acquires whatever things befit a ruler, the things that pertain to a ruler, delight him and are appropriate to him. As a Buddha, likewise. This was what the Lord declared."

 'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata approached an ascetic or Brahmin and asked: "Sir, what is the good, what is the bad? What is blameworthy, what is not? What course is to be followed, what is not? What if I do it, will that cause lasting sorrow and harm, what will lead to my lasting happiness?" (Ethics). On returning to this earth after , he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (12) his skin is so delicate and smooth that no dust can adhere to his body. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he will be very wise, and among the un-renounced there will be none equal or superior to him in wisdom. As a Buddha he will have great wisdom, extensive wisdom, joyous wisdom, swift wisdom, penetrative wisdom, discerning wisdom and among all beings there will be none equal to him or superior to him in wisdom. This was what the Lord declared. "

'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata lived without anger, perfectly unruffled, not abusive, or agitated, or wrathful, or aggressive, displaying neither anger nor hatred nor resentment despite critics but was in the habit of giving away  things (generosity). After death upon returning to this earth, he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (11) a bright complexion, the colour of gold. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he will receive such fine stuffs. As a Buddha, likewise. This was what the Lord declared."

'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata reunited those long-lost family, making them one again with great rejoicing. After death upon returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (10) his male organs are enclosed in a sheath. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he will have numerous sons, more than a thousand sons, powerfully built heroes, crushers of the enemy host. As a Buddha, likewise. This was what the Lord declared."

'Monks, in whatever former life, the Tathagata  is considerate towards the welfare of people, he knew the nature of each other and knew how each one differed: "This one deserves such-and-such, that one deserves so-and-so", so he distinguished them. Thus upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (19) he is proportioned like a banyan-tree and (9) standing, without bending, he can touch and rub his knees with both hands. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler he would be rich, of great wealth and resources, having a full treasury of gold and silver, all sorts of goods and his granary will be full of corn. As a Buddha he will be wealthy and rich, and these will be his treasures: faith, morality, moral shame, moral dread, learning, renunciation and wisdom.

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, he desired the welfare of the many, their advantage, comfort, freedom from bondage, thinking how they might increase in faith, morality, learning, renunciation, in Dhamma, in wisdom, in wealth and possessions. Thus upon returning to earth he acquired these three marks of the Great Man: (17) the front part of his body is like a lion's, (18) there is no hollow between his shoulders, and (20) his bust is evenly rounded. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler he cannot lose anything: wealth and possessions  and  he will succeed in all things. As a Buddha he cannot lose anything: faith, morality, learning, renunciation or wisdom - losing nothing, he will succeed in all things. This was what the Lord declared. 

​'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata was one who avoided harming beings by hand, by stones, stick or sword thus upon returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (21) he has a perfect sense of taste. Whatever he touches with the tip of his tongue he tastes in his throat, and the taste is dispersed everywhere. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he will suffer little distress or sickness, his digestion will be good, being neither too cold nor too hot. AS a Buddha likewise, he is also equable and tolerant of exertion. This was what the Lord declared.'

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata was accustomed to look at people not askance but directly, openly and straight-forwardly, and with a kindly glance. Upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (29) deep blue eyes, and (30) eyelashes like a cow's. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler he will be looked upon with love by the common people; he will be popular and loved by all. As a Buddha, he will be popular with and loved by monks, nuns, male and female lay-followers, devas and humans, asuras, nagas and gandhabbas. This was what the Lord declared. '

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, he became the foremost in skilled behaviour, a leader in right action of body, speech and thought, in generosity, virtuous conduct, observance of fasts, in honoring parents, ascetics and Brahmins and the head of the clan, and in various other proper activities, upon returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (32) a head like a royal turban. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he will receive the loyalty of all. As a Buddha he will receive the loyalty of monks, nuns.. .This was what the Lord declared.'

'Monks, is whatever former life the Tathagata, he rejected false speech, put away lies and became a truth-speaker, reliable, consistent, not deceiving the world, upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (13) his body-hairs separate, one to each pore and (31) the hair between his brows white and soft like cotton down. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler he will be obeyed by all. As a Buddha he will be obeyed by monks, nuns... This was what the Lord declared.'

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, he rejected slander, abstained from it thus he was a reconciler of those at variance and an encourager of those at one, rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who spoke up for peace. Upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (23) forty teeth, and (25) no spaces between the teeth. Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler, his followers will not be divided among themselves and they stay united. Likewise as a Buddha, his followers: , monks, nuns. . .will not be divided among themselves. This was what the Lord declared. '

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, he rejected harsh speech, abstained from it, spoke what was blamless, pleasing to the ear, agreeable, pleasing and attractive to the multitude. Upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (27) his tongue was very long, and (28) he had a Brahma-like voice, like the karavika-bird.  Being endowed with these marks, as a ruler he will have a persuasive voice: all his citizens will take his words to heart. As a Buddha, he will also have a persuasive voice: all his monks, nuns and followers will take his words to heart. This was what the Lord declared'

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, he rejected idle chatter, spoke at the right time, what was correct and to the point of Dhamma and discipline, and he spoke only what was beneficial and bound up with profit. Upon returning to earth he acquired this mark of the Great Man: (22) jaws like a lion's. Being endowed with this mark, as a ruler he cannot be overcome by any human foe or opponent. As a Buddha he cannot be overcome by any foe or hostile thing from within or without, by lust, hatred or delusion, by any ascetic or Brahmin, deva, mara, Brahma or anything in the world. This was what the Lord declared. '

'Monks, in whatever former life the Tathagata, rejected wrong livelihood, lived by right livelihood, refraining from cheating with false weights and measures, from bribery and corruption, deception and insincerity, from wounding, killing, imprisoning, highway robbery, and taking goods by force. Upon returning to earth he acquired these two marks of the Great Man: (24) even teeth, and (26) very bright canine teeth. Being endowed with these marks, if he keeps to the household life he will be a wheel-turning monarch. As a ruler, his followers will be pure. But if he goes forth from the household life into homelessness (monkshood), as a Buddha, his followers will be pure. This was what the Lord declared. '

In summary this sutta was given by Buddha to his monks. The Buddha told them the outcomes of a great man with the 32 marks. The great man has two futures: either a successful ruler if he remains as king or he will be a fully enlightened Buddha if he goes forth and renunciation.  Then Buddha named the Thirty-Two Marks of a Great Man one by one and how one accumulates them through corresponding Karmic Qualities as well as the benefits of having which mark. 

By WHH

References: 
1. www.accesstoinsight.org
2. https://suttacentral.net/
3. The long discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi)