26 - The Body of Truth Has No Marks

Subhūti, what do you think? May the Tathāgata be perceived by the thirty-two marks [of a great man]?

Subhūti answered: Yes, certainly the Tathāgata may be perceived thereby.

Then Buddha said: Subhūti, if the Tathāgata may be perceived by such marks, any great imperial ruler is the same as the Tathāgata.

Subhūti then said to Buddha: World-Honored One, as I understand the meaning of Buddha's words the Tathāgata may not be perceived by the thirty-two marks.

Whereupon the World-Honored One uttered this verse:

Who sees me by form,
Who seeks me in sound,
Perverted are his footsteps upon the way;
For he cannot perceive the Tathāgata.