“Mendicants, in some past lives the Realized One was reborn as a human being. When looking at others he didn’t glare, look askance, or avert his eyes. Being straightforward, he reached out to others with straightforward intentions, looking at people with kindly eyes. Due to performing those deeds he was reborn in a heavenly realm. When he came back to this place he obtained these two marks: his eyes are indigo, and he has eyelashes like a cow’s.

Possessing these marks, if he stays at home he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. And what does he obtain as king? The people look on him with kindly eyes. He is dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders, people of town and country, treasurers and chief ministers, military officers, guardsmen, ministers, councillors, rulers, tax beneficiaries, and princes. That’s what he obtains as king. And what does he obtain as Buddha? The people look on him with kindly eyes. He is dear and beloved to the monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, gods, humans, titans, dragons, and centaurs. That’s what he obtains as Buddha.” The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said: “With not a glare or glance askance, nor averting of the eyes; straightforward, he reached out straightforwardly, looking at people with kindly eyes. In good rebirths he enjoyed the fruit and result, rejoicing there. But here he has a cow’s eyelashes, and indigo eyes so fair to see.