DESCRIPTION

Samantabhadra returns as the primary expositor of the eighth chapter in this assembly. A common theme in many sutras is a description or meditation on the mahāpuruṣa lakṣaṇa (auspicious characteristics) of the Tathāgata. Although there are traditionally thirty-two characteristics, this chapter describes the ‘ocean of characteristics’ of Vairocana. A list of ninety-seven characteristics is given, which does, however, begin with thirty-two characteristics on the crown or uṣṇīṣa of the Tathāgata's head. The uṣṇīṣa, itself, is one of the traditional thirty-two, pointing to the recursive nature of these characteristics.