The Eighteen Qualities of a Buddha

The wisdom of Buddhist texts provides an inspiring description of some attributes of a true Master.

According to Buddhist texts, a Buddha possesses eighteen qualities expressing his perfection. Six are associated with his outer behaviour: he moves gracefully and his physical conduct is never founded upon delusion of any kind; his speech is neither garrulous, loud, or ill-considered; he possesses an unfailing memory and intelligence; he is always at peace; he is free of conceptual thinking, not clinging to ideas; he is diligent in all matters, free from indifference or carelessness.

Six qualities are associated with his inner, spiritual realization: he gives unwavering attention to his work of spreading the message of the dharma for the benefit of all beings; he is indefatigable, never losing his energy and vigour; he is always focused, mindful, and aware, seeing things for exactly what they are; he has unfailing wisdom, discernment, and understanding; he lives in a state of constant meditation; and he is permanently liberated.

Six qualities are associated with his state of consciousness and permanent meditative awareness: his deeds, his speech, and his mind are all informed and permeated by his state of constant meditation; as a consequence, whatever he does, says or thinks is meaningful. Likewise, his all-pervading awareness gives him an unobscured vision and wisdom concerning the past, the present, and the future; as a consequence, he knows everything.
_{Taken from Garma Chang, Buddhist Teaching of Totality; Khenpo Chöga, Drops of Nectar (Vol. 1); Ratnagotra-vibhaga tr. Jikido Takasaki}