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

Subhuti answered: Yes, certainly the Tathagata may be perceived thereby.

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

Subhuti then said to Buddha: World-honoured One, as I understand the meaning of Buddha’s words the Tathagata may not be perceived by the thirty-two marks.

Whereupon the World-honoured One uttered this verse:

Who looks for me in form

Who searches for me in sound

His footsteps go astray

He cannot find the Tathagata.

(Text based on: The Diamond Sutra tr. AF Price & Wong Mou-Lam)

………………….

In this podcast:

• The role of the 32 marks in early Buddhism and later Mahayana

• Representations of Buddha and changing conceptions of who/what Buddha is?

• The function of Buddhist art and images in Buddhist practice

• Contemplation and meditation and embodied realisation

• Discussion around using images for practice without attachment and idolatry.