The qualities of the Buddha as a teacher that led to the spread of Buddhism during his lifetime.

The qualities of the Buddha as a teacher that led to the spread of Buddhism during his lifetime.
1. Appearance

Actually Buddha's appearance was normal just like anyone else. How do we know? 

• King Ajatasattu was unable to tell the Buddha from other monks. 
• Venerable Maha Kassapa was said to have a strong resemblance to the Buddha. 
• His half brother Nanda was often mistaken for the Buddha from a distance. 

​The Buddha looked majestic and handsome and there were people mesmerized by just his appearance. He was said to be 6-ft tall, had coal black hair and a golden brown complexion. Examples of his appearance were

• Upaka was impressed by the Buddha’s clear faculties and radiant complexion.  
• The Brahmin Sonadanda described him as "handsome, good-looking, and pleasing to the eye, with a most beautiful complexion. He is by no means unattractive.” 
• Vacchagotta said this of the Buddha: "It is wonderful, truly marvellous, how serene is the good Gotama's appearance, how clear and radiant his complexion, his senses are calmed, his complexion is clear and radiant.” 

As the Buddha got older his body succumbed to impermanence as do all compounded things. Ananda described him in his old age like this: "It is strange, it is a wonder how the skin is no longer clear and radiant, how all the limbs are slack and wrinkled, how stooped his body is and how a change is to be seen in eye, ear, nose, tongue and body." In the last year before his final Nibbana the Buddha said this of himself: "I am now old, worn out, one who has walked life's path, and I have reached the end of my life, being now 80. Just as an old cart can only be kept going by being held together with straps, so too the Tathagata's body can only be kept going by being held together with bandages."

However, in his prime, people were clearly attracted by the Buddha's physical good looks as much as they were by his pleasant personality and his Dharma. Just to be in his presence could have a noticeable effect upon people. That alone attracted many to his talks and they benefited from the teachings. 

Read more: http://www.suttas.com/the-qualities-of-buddha-that-promote-the-spread-of-buddhism.html​