Commentary on the Sutra of the Father and Son Anthology (34)

How can one attain a majestic and dignified appearance?

The Tathāgatagarbha is without form; the four great elements (earth, water, fire, and wind) are also without form. It has neither a human form, nor the material body of a celestial being; neither a male form nor a female form; neither an animal form, nor a hungry ghost form; neither the material body of a hell-being, nor the material body of an asura. However, when the four great elements coalesce to form a material body, a form gradually emerges. Human forms, animal forms, the forms of beings in the six realms, male and female forms—all are thus manifested. The Tathāgatagarbha does not transform arbitrarily or chaotically; it manifests according to the karmic seeds stored within the mind.

Therefore, we should not lament why our material body is as it is—why we are born female, why we suffer from illness, or why our appearance is not dignified. If we must blame anyone, we should blame none but our own past karmic actions. Our appearance is determined by the karma we ourselves have created. Thus, if we wish to possess a favorable appearance, we must create wholesome karma. Which appearance is the finest? It is the Buddha’s thirty-two major marks and eighty minor marks—the most sublime, pure, and majestic appearance. However, attaining such an excellent appearance is truly not easy. One must ceaselessly create wholesome karma, ceaselessly eliminate unwholesome and defiled karma, and finally, extensively create karma that is neither wholesome nor unwholesome. Only then can one become a Buddha and attain the majestic and dignified appearance of a Buddha. Merely creating wholesome karma to be reborn in heavenly realms is insufficient. Ultimately, one must create karma that is neither wholesome nor unwholesome, so that the mind attains purity and non-action. Only then can one become a Buddha and possess the most perfect and complete appearance.