Kamakura is an easy place to get to, a quick one hour train ride from Tokyo Station along the Yokosuka Line. As I usually do on any extended trip minus children, I had my knitting with me, my husband had a book, and we alternately attended to our hobbies while watching the countryside speed by us. We were in Japan over the American Thanksgiving holiday, so no beach time for us, but I remember it being a beautiful sunny day, perfect for walking and sightseeing.

When the first destination is fun but the second is inspiring…

The first stop for most just coming off the train in Kamakura is to walk west along the main road towards the Daibutsu, the large sitting buddha.

It’s an extremely popular destination for both foreigners and Japanese alike, so you won’t be the only person standing in front of the giant buddha making the peace sign while others snap photos with rapid abandon. Off to the right side of the giant buddha is a covered area with a huge, absolutely gigantic, pair of straw shoes that made my husband and me laugh. I stood and wondered about the person who had woven them hoping buddha would step off his platform and walk away. Then I took a photo. Of course.

The Daibutsu is fun and interesting, but the statue is, at most, a ten-minute sightseeing effort. Stand and gaze at its immensity, maybe burn some incense, sit and ponder your significance, and move on.

Traveling further east from the daibutsu, we came to the temple I was most interested in, Hasedera. I knew from friends who had visited this temple that it was high up on a hill and had a beautiful view of the bay and beach beyond the city. But what really draws people to Hasedera are the Jizō statues.

These tiny statues are placed on the temple grounds to honor deceased children, children who have either died young or in childbirth, and there are hundreds of them in perfectly symmetrical lines. What struck me most about spending time with the Jizō statues was how quiet everyone was. Silent and respectful. Each statue was a marvel, a representation of a tiny life lost before he or she could make their mark on the world. I wasn’t the only one who kneeled down to make eye contact with one, like you do with a child you want to talk to. I snapped a few photos of them all in a row, and when I placed my camera back in my bag, my knitting was right next to it. I didn’t know this tradition of knitting or crocheting hats or scarves for Jizō statues. Just like we keep our kids warm in the winter, these knitted items protect the little statues from rain, wind, snow, and sun. Had I been prepared, I would have knitted a baby hat and brought it along to adorn a lost soul.

Who was Jizō?

Jizō is best known as the protector of deceased children, especially children who have died before their parents or during childbirth. He guards them and escorts these children into the afterlife across the Sanzu River so they won’t be forced to make penance for all eternity for not having outlived their parents. But Jizō is also the saint that protects travelers and common people, so his likeness is not just found at temples but also at roadside stands and cemeteries.

There is a Japanese children’s story, Kasajizō, about an old man and woman who are poor but still manage to help the animals that depend on them even when they are starving. They’re kind and thoughtful people, despite having very little. When the old man is unable to sell hats he and his wife have made in exchange for food, he places the hats on his neighborhood’s Jizō statues. In return for his kindness, the Jizō statues come to life and deliver food to the old man and his wife. Continuing the circle of gift-giving, the old man and his wife return what they don’t eat to the Jizō statues to thank them.

This story is so iconic of Japanese life, especially concerning the circle of gift-giving that can occur with Japanese people. Once someone is presented a gift, they must respectfully gift something back to the original giver at an appropriate time or holiday. It becomes an obligation, one Japanese omiyage shops are more than pleased to help you with should you be traveling and need a gift to bring home to your coworkers or neighbors. Jizō, traveling, and gift-giving all go hand-in-hand. He is a deity you should keep on your side, at all times.

Protect Jizō from the elements with your knitted gift

Jizō is known for being a benevolent god, helpful and kind, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he deserves a lot of love and affection. Hats and scarves are common gifts amongst the statues, but if you look closer you may find other gifts: a toy yo-yo, a mobile phone charm, a Hello Kitty stuffed animal, a pot of flowers, or even jewelry. Gifts arrive for Jizō statues almost daily, piling up next to and between them until someone comes and moves them to add more.

If you’re a knitter like me, now would be a good time to think about providing him with something warm to get him through winter. I’m sure many of us would want to shroud Jizō in the finest wool and cashmere, but let’s think practically for a moment.

You want your gift to last for a long time. If you’re in Japan for a short stay, it would be worth it to knit something to last until the next time you visit Japan, if ever. You need a shield for your statue, not a comfortable and fluffy sweet frock.

Need to learn how to knit first?

Knitting has become extremely popular in the last five years with well-known figures such as Margaret Atwood, Julia Roberts, Christina Hendricks, Kate Middleton, and even Ryan Gosling all publicly talking about their knitting. Knittinghelp.com is my favorite online resource for learning to knit. Their videos are clear and easy to understand. If you learn better one-on-one with a teacher, be sure to check out your local yarn store to see if they have classes. Once you’ve purchased needles and yarn, become a member of Ravelry.com (it’s free) and log all of your projects there, find others who knit in your community, and cruise the Ravelry boards for inspiration.

Knitting For Jizo

Knitting for Jizō presents its own set of challenges. The statues live outdoors all year round and the weather in Japan can range from blistering hot to frigid to typhoon winds that blow houses down. My suggestion is to go with acrylic yarn, the more workhorse yarn the better. Crocheted red hats are a popular choice (as evidenced by the photo above) because red is the color of life and has traditionally been associated with the protection of children in Japan. It is not uncommon to find Jizō dressed in other colors, though, so I challenge you to step outside the norms and knit or crochet something with love from your heart. Choose a color or pattern that means something to you, something you’ll be able to pick out of the crowd because, if you’re lucky, you may see your gift again in photos online!

When choosing a size, the smaller the better. Jizō statues are generally small with preemie-sized heads. Knit the newborn size but don’t go larger. If you have the skills, add a tie to keep it attached to the statue’s head during typhoons. I have a few pattern suggestions too, if you need somewhere to start.

The Basic Newborn Hat by Major Knitter

• http://majorknitter.typepad.com/major_knitter/2008/11/free-baby-hat-p.html
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-newborn-baby-hat—rolled-brim (On Ravelry)

Here’s an example of it knitted in stripes:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/9535337@N08/3726848568

And another one in blue with a rolled brim:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/16674353@N00/7841549606

If you’re a crocheter, try the Teresa’s 10 Minute Crochet Preemie Hat.

• http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/teresa-hat.html
  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teresas-10-minute-crochet-preemie-hat (On Ravelry)

Here’s an example of them crocheted in several colors:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/34479933@N00/2222933887

And here are some more in muted colors with stripes:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/32853348@N00/8807991853

Remember, you’re crafting this for a statue! You don’t need to worry about how scratchy it’ll be or if you screwed up your decreases. If you have time, knit or crochet a thin, long scarf to add as well. And though you probably don’t want to get too involved with this, the crazier the design and color choice, the better. Have you seen Japanese street fashion? It’s out there, way out there. Your Jizō attire will attract more photos and additional gifts should you decide to be creative so shower your chosen statue in the something you had fun making, something that will bring a smile to mourners’ faces, or just be a bright spot in an otherwise somber tradition.

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Bonus Wallpapers!

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To me, Nara is a place that is deer dear to my heart. When I was five, my family moved from Osaka to a rural town in Nara prefecture, and I lived there until my second year of university. Nara is such a beautiful place filled with lots of memories from childhood to the springtime of my life. My parents still live there and so do many of my friends. To say the least, it is a very special place to me.

On August 8, 2013 on the LINE social network, I received a few messages from my younger brother and sister talking about an earthquake in Nara. Yet, I didn’t really care or get worried when I got them because the messages didn’t seem all that serious. Look at their conversations below:

Bro: 奈良県で地震ですか？ Was there an earthquake in Nara?
Sis: 震度一もないらしいよ It seems that it was even less than M1
Bro: おっ Huh？

However, when I went online afterward to learn more about the quake, I found that it was originally reported that a 7.8 earthquake hit in Nara, but turned out to be a false alarm. Thank God, it could have been a scary big earthquake and I wouldn’t have wanted that (of course!). I’m very glad that it was just a big mistake.

Despite being a false alarm, everyone’s mobile phones went off with emergency alerts, some trains and school elevators were stopped and even Yahoo Japan temporarily went off. My Facebook wall was filled with comments about the incident as well. Some people were thankful that it was just a mistake and that it reminded themselves to be ready for a real earthquake in the future. Others just complained about the false alert.

One of the latter was my friend from high school who was hungover when it happened. He was woken up by the alert and tried to save some water in the bathtub before an actual earthquake happened (remember, he was half asleep and hungover). Of course, he turned the tap in the wrong direction and just got drenched in cold shower water. At that point, he was finally awake enough for the earthquake, but it never happened and that made him particularly upset.

The Power Of The Nara Daibutsu

Meanwhile, one absurd conspiracy began rapidly spreading across the Internet: the Nara Daibutsu (the giant Buddha statue in Nara) was responsible for stopping the earthquake! I’m not sure who started saying this but I do have to say it does sound pretty silly. Before looking at some Nara-Daibutsu-believers’ words, let me tell you about the Nara Daibutsu first.

Nara Daibutsu

The Nara Daibutsu is one of three major Buddha statues in Japan and is located in Todai-ji Temple in Nara. It’s officially called Rushana Buddha, and was constructed in 752. Todai-ji temple has been designated a World Heritage Site as well as a national treasure.

I keep saying that it’s a “giant” Buddha statue, but do you want to know how giant it really is?

Height: 49.1 ft
Face: 17.5 ft
Eyes: 3.3 ft each
Ears: 8.3 ft
Weight: 500 tonnes

To put things in perspective, that’s twice the height of the giant in Jack The Giant Killer. Also, if you’re keeping track that’s 6.5 Yao Mings and ~8 Nic Cages. You certainly have to look up to see it.

The Nara Daibutsu is also known for its big lucky nostril. They say that if you go through the Nara Daibutsu’s nostril it will bring you good luck. There is actually an old support pillar with a hole cut exactly the same size as Buddha’s nostril inside Todaiji next to the giant Buddha statue. If you can get through this then you can get through Buddha’s nostril, at least in theory.

How lucky!

The Words Of The Believers

Regardless of whether or not the Nara Daibutsu actually stopped the earthquake, the believers’ words sound so serious that it becomes a bit silly/funny to me, so I have to share them with you all. Here’s some quotes from Twitter:

Earth quake? Yeah, I suppressed it down.

[hr]

An earthquake early warning went out
↓
M7.8 earthquake happened in Nara
↓
Giant Buddha noticed the earthquake
↓
It secretly shot a shock wave to kill the earthquake
↓
Nara people ‘There wasn’t any shake’
↓
Other prefectures people ‘Was it misinformation?’
↓
The proof: the clouds were strange [shaped like Buddha]

[hr]

Nara Daibutsu: “The earthquake happened, but I punched on the ground to offset it

[hr]

An earthquake in Wakayama and noise in the ocean near Mie prefecture → Nara Daibutsu noticed this → Nara Buddha saved…right?

[hr]

I’ve heard that even a Nostradamus book said that only Japan could avoid disaster because of the power of Nara’s Giant Buddha.

[hr]

Giant Buddha: ‘I stopped it after 9 seconds’

[hr]

Nara Giant Buddha SUGEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!(GREAAAAAAAT)!!!!!

[hr]

Giant Buddha Platinum the world

[hr]

Giant Buddha: “An earthquake is coming, right? It’s kind of a wave, right? So if you make a wave towards the opposite direction…like this ‘Ha!’…wait…something was wrong…like this ‘Haaa!!”, yeah, it seems right. Then…yeah…you got it, right?”

Nara people: “That’s amazing and we didn’t know you speak that casually.”

[hr]

Giant Buddha: ‘I stopped the earthquake’
People: ‘Wow, are you God?’
Giant Buddha: ‘No way. I’m just Buddha.’

[hr]

There are more and more quotes, but unfortunately I can’t introduce everything. According to many of them, it seems that the Nara Daibutsu stopped the earthquake by punching into the Earth to make a wave towards the very opposite direction of the earthquake and canceled it out. I’m personally happy to see that so many people are commenting on the power of Nara Daibutsu, which is the symbol of Nara where I grew up! And guess what? I succeeded in interviewing an actual monk in Nara about this Giant Daibutsu rumor!

An Interview With A Nara Monk

This is Yugaku Ikawa (井川裕覚) of Daihisen Tatsunoji Temple (悲山 立野寺) in Yagyu, Nara. He belongs to a Japanese group of Shingon Buddhism called Koyasan Shingon-shu (高野山真言宗). He started off by explaining what Buddhism is like, what kind of religion Shingon-shu is, and then talked about the Nara Daibutsu hypothesis. I translated the interview into English for you to understand.

About Buddhism And Shingon Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion to make yourself Buddha itself by coming in touch with Buddha. Buddha is not in sutra, statues or temples but inside of ourselves.

Shingon Buddhism (真言宗/Shingon-shu) is one of the few surviving Esoteric Buddhism lineages, which is called Mikkyō (密教) in Japanese. Mikkyō literally means “secret ways” and was originally started in India, spread to China and then was brought to Japan by a Buddhist monk named Kōbō-Daishi (弘法大師) around 1200 years ago. By the time it came all the way to Japan, it adopted various Buddhist and other religions gods’ thoughts and became a more complex and multifaceted system. Mikkyō Monks regard gaining “this-worldly benefits” (現世利益/Genseriyaku) as the most important thing. There are so many practices to do this, including ajikan (阿字観), which is a core meditative practice. Mikkyō Monks try to experience Buddha in themselves throughout those practices and by sympathizing various Buddhas.

About The Nara Daibutsu Hypothesis And Earthquake

This time, the epicenter was reported in Nara which is not typically associated with heavy seismic activity or big disasters, so that added to the puzzlement and also caused the great [Nara Daibutsu] sensation. The Nara Daibutsu (Rushana Buddha) is not only a universe by itself but also of earthly environment, nature and all of our origins. In that kind of meaning, it could be said all the earthly activities including earthquakes are the Daibutsu’s activities as well. I would say that it’s a wonderful result of human beings’ wisdom to prove and elucidate many things scientifically. However, I would also say that it’s very important not to be into only one extreme speculation that “science is the truth” but to realize that we are allowed to live within an earth and universe such as Daibutsu and be thankful for it.

Although I say such serious things, I just find something congenial in Buddha while imagining that it is actually fighting against a plate or an earthquake like an anime character (laughs).

Finally, Japan is said to be an earthquake country, and big ones such as the Great Hanshin earthquake and the Great East Japan earthquake have occurred since I was born. I extend my sincere condolences to all the victims and wish everyone who is still suffering from the earthquake places to relax and settle down. I believe that not only recovering lifelines such as facilities and buildings but also recovering peoples hearts is very important. I wish peaceful minds for as many people as possible. I believe that the true relationships among people makes their zest for living.

[/end interview]

Since there are not any scientific evidences that the Nara Daibutsu defeated the earthquake, the reliability of the hypothesis is questioned. However, why don’t we put scientific and critical opinion aside like the monk said and close our eyes to meditate? Then, repeat the famous false Buddha quote in your mind:

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”

Anything could be the truth depending on your own mind, it doesn’t matter whether it’s proven or not. So now, tell me your thoughts on the Nara Daibutsu hypotheses!

All About Hotei

Hotei is the Japanese God of Contentment and Happiness, and his legend goes all the way back to ancient China. According to the Chinese tradition, Hotei was a Zen Buddhist monk who lived in the 10th century before he became a god. In Japan, Hotei is one of the Seven Gods of Luck, lording over satisfaction, abundance, and happiness. He’s also the patron of children, fortunetellers, and bartenders.

Hotei has a shaved head, a jolly face, and a big belly which symbolizes the largeness of his soul, as well as how much Christmas cake he is capable of consuming.

Like Santa, Hotei is fat, jolly, and extremely generous. He holds a Chinese fan which was used in the olden days by nobles to indicate to their subjects that their requests would be granted. It’s probably also where Hotei writes notes about who’s been naughty and nice this year.

Now here’s where the major similarities start. Hotei also carries around a large linen bag where he stores gifts and fortunes for those who believe in him. He most often gives to the poor and needy, and his bag never empties. Hotei doesn’t have any elves or a winter workshop or anything, but who needs one when you’ve got a magic bag? This is also where he got the name Hotei, literally meaning “cloth bag” in Japanese.

Mr. Cloth Bag here is also often shown surrounded by kids, giving them candy and food. Like Santa Claus, Hotei is considered all knowing as well. You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why, Ho~tei is coming to town~

Hotei is also said to bring his gifts at the same time each year when he arrives together with the six other Gods of Luck come New Year’s. And as we all know, New Year’s is awfully close to Christmas… hmm…

Before he was Legend

Hotei stands out from the other six Lucky Gods because he is the only one known to have been a real person, rather than a fabricated mythical being. His birth date is unknown, but he supposedly died in the year 916. Some say he was an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Miroku, the Buddhist Savior of the Future.

However, Hotei was kind of strange for someone who would eventually become a god. For example, he would beg for meat and fish even though they were foods forbidden to monks. For a belly that big, vegetarian monk food just wasn’t enough, I suppose.

Hotei’s appearance was also kind of unusual, being fat and scruffy and all, and to top it all off Hotei had no regular place to sleep or stay. Legend says he once slept outside during a snowstorm and didn’t get cold or wet at all. Sounds like something Santa would also be capable of, don’t you agree?

Is Santa Claus Just Hotei in Disguise?

Think about it. Look at all the similarities. Hotei has been around for a long time – maybe he got bored. He’s a god, so he’s certainly capable of delivering gifts to the entire world and not just Japan – plus Japan has six other Lucky Gods to take care of them. What if Hotei became Santa Claus?

Being the god that he is, Hotei could have just left Japan, set up shop in the North Pole, grown a beard, and bam! Santa Claus! His bag is magic, so making toys is super easy, he’d just hire a few lesser gods (the elves), find some reindeer, and he’s good to go. It all adds up. Hotei could very well be Santa Claus!

But even if Hotei isn’t Santa, he’s still a pretty cool guy. Bringing gifts and happiness to the needy, Hotei’s pretty awesome in my book.

Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTJqc118-Pg']

But before I go, I’d like to leave you with an instant Christmas classic from one of the Japanese bands that just barely missed the cut for having a whole Saturday Timewaster post written about them, Momoiro Clover. Enjoy.

So tell me, what are you asking Hotei for this year? A custom Tofugu Action Ningyo, perhaps? Let us know in the comments and have a great holiday!

Sites Referenced:
Japanese Buddhist Statuary
Muza-chan’s Gate to Japan

Surprisingly, this morning I learned that it was Buddha’s birthday. The cool Frood is turning 2,571 years old today, so make sure you sing him a song (video comments, anyone??) and dip him in some ama-cha to clean him off (he only gets one bath a year). In celebration of today, I thought I’d do a special post about Buddha.

According to The Sutra of the Marks Buddha has 32 “main traits” and 80 “secondary traits.” I discovered this list (which I’ll go into more detail on below) about a year ago, and I was very pleased at how many traits I shared with the enlightened one. This was one of my main strategies for attracting women: “Did you know that I share [blank] number of physical traits with Buddha?”

Anyways, here are the lists. The ones that are highlighted red are ones that I share with Buddha, along with a final percentage at the end. Tell me how close you are, as well, I’m interested in my “becoming Buddha” competition so I can pick up the pace and get plastic surgery accordingly.

32 Main Traits of Buddha

1. He has feet with a level sole
2. He has the mark of a thousand-spoked wheel on the soles of his feet (maybe if it was a broken wheel)
3. He has projecting heels
4. He has long fingers and toes (Long and beautiful. I should be a hand model, really)
5. His hands and feet are soft-skinned (Once again, hand model)
6. He has netlike lines on palms and soles
7. He has high raised ankles
8. He has taut calf muscles like an antelope (I don’t think I could have picked a better descriptor animal)
9. He can touch his knees with the palms of his hands without bending (Try it yourself, a lot creepier than it sounds)
10. His sexual organs are concealed in a sheath (Just kidding)
11. His skin is the color of gold (Too pasty white)
12. His skin is so fine that no dust can attach to it (If being OCD against touching dust counts…)
13. His body hairs are separate with one hair per pore (Couldn’t find any double pore hairs)
14. His body hair is blue-black, the color of collyrium, and curls clockwise in rings.
15. He has an upright stance like that of a brahma
16. He has the seven convexities of the flesh. Note: “the seven convex surfaces,/ on both hands, both feet, both shoulders, and his trunk.” (Hmm, I do lack a trunk)
17. He has an immense torso, like that of a lion
18. The furrow between his shoulders is filled in
19. The distance from hand-to-hand and head-to-toe is equal (Yep, I measured this in Middle School).
20. He has a round and smooth neck (Very big, round, and smooth)
21. He has sensitive taste-buds
22. His jaw is like a lion’s
23. He has 40 teeth. Note: The average person normally has 32 teeth (Dang, the dentist took my shark teeth out when I was a toddler)
24. His teeth are evenly spaced (Pretty darn close)
25. His teeth are without gaps in-between
26. His teeth are quite white
27. He has a large, long tongue
28. He has a voice like a Brahma’s
29. He has very blue eyes
30. He has eyelashes like an ox (most girls are jealous of them, and my Chinese zodiac is an Ox, must be meant to be)
31. He has a white soft wisp of hair in the center of the brow (I’m sure I’ll have one eventually, my dad’s side has a lot of premature graying)
32. His head is like a royal turban. Note that this denotes his cranial protrusion, visible on Buddhist iconography (I don’t think I want this one. “Cranial protrusion” sounds a lot like “brain tumor” to me)

SCORE: 11/32 = 34%

80 Sub-Traits of Buddha:

1. He has beautiful fingers and toes (hand model)
2. He has well-proportioned fingers and toes (hand model)
   
3. He has tube-shaped fingers and toes.
4. His fingernails and toenails have a rosy tint.
5. His fingernails and toenails are slightly upturned at the tip.
6. His fingernails and toenails are smooth and rounded without ridges.
7. His ankles and wrists are rounded and undented.
8. His feet are of equal length.
9. He has a beautiful gait, like that of a king-elephant (maybe I’m just biased, but I think so. My grandma always used to describe my gait like that of a king-elephant)
10. He has a stately gait, like that of a king-lion (grandma again)
11. He has a beautiful gait, like that of a swan (maybe not this one)
12. He has a majestic gait, like that of a royal ox (or this one)
13. His right foot leads when walking
14. His knees have no protruding kneecaps.
15. He has the demeanor of a great man (not sure if I can get away with this one)
16. His navel is without blemish (my navel is beautiful)
17. He has a deep-shaped abdomen.
18. He has clockwise marks on the abdomen.
19. His thighs are rounded like banana sheafs.
20. His two arms are shaped like an elephant’s trunk.
21. The lines on the palms of his hands have a rosy tint.
22. His skin is thick or thin as it should be. (lot of room on this one, huh)
23. His skin is unwrinkled (for now)
    
24. His body is spotless and without lumps.
25. His body is unblemished above and below.
26. His body is absolutely free of impurities.
27. He has the strength of 100,000 crores or 1000 elephants (what the hell are crores?)
28. He has a protruding nose.
29. His nose is well proportioned.
30. His upper and lower lips are equal in size and have a rosy tint.
31. His teeth are unblemished and with no plaque.
32. His teeth are long like polished conches.
33. His teeth are smooth and without ridges.
34. His five sense-organs are unblemished.
35. His four canine teeth are crystal and rounded (crystal teeth? Wow)
36. His face is long and beautiful.
37. His cheeks are radiant (radiant and chubby)
38. The lines on his palms are deep.
39. The lines on his palms are long.
40. The lines on his palms are straight.
41. The lines on his palms have a rosy tint.
42. His body emanates a halo of light extending around him for two meters (that would be the radioactive glow)
43. His cheek cavities are fully rounded and smooth
44. The five nerves of his eyes are unblemished.
45. The tips of his bodily hair are neither curved nor bent.
46. He has a rounded tongue.
47. His tongue is soft and has a rosy-tint.
48. His ears are long like lotus petals.
49. His earholes are beautifully rounded.
50. His sinews and tendons don’t stick out.
51. His sinews and tendons are deeply embedded in the flesh.
52. His topknot is like a crown.
53. His forehead is well-proportioned in length and breadth.
54. His forehead is rounded and beautiful.
55. His eyebrows are arched like a bow.
56. The hair of his eyebrows is fine.
57. The hair of his eyebrows lies flat.
58. He has large brows.
59. His brows reach the outward corner of his eyes.
60. His skin is fine throughout his body.
61. His whole body has abundant signs of good fortune.
62. His body is always radiant.
63. His body is always refreshed like a lotus flower.
64. His body is exquisitely sensitive to touch.
65. His body has the scent of sandalwood.
66. His body hair is consistent in length.
67. He has fine bodily hair.
68. His breath is always fine.
69. His mouth always has a beautiful smile.
70. His mouth has the scent of a lotus flower.
71. His hair has the colour of a dark shadow.
72. His hair is strongly scented.
73. His hair has the scent of a white lotus.
74. He has curled hair.
75. His hair does not turn grey.
76. He has fine hair.
77. His hair is untangled.
78. His hair has long curls.
79. He has a topknot as if crowned with a flower garland.

Wait a second, I thought there was 80…anyways. Here is my score:

SCORE: 26/79: 33%

So, from the looks of things, I’m 1/3 of the way to becoming a Buddha. How far along are you?

And Buddha, Happy Birthday, you cool frood!

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgi-pl_KRD0']