The Nine Attributes of the Buddha

The attributes of the Buddha are Innumerable. But, during the time of the Buddha, there were only nine attributes which became well-known, far and wide, up to the deva and brahma realms. The theras participating in the Buddhist Synod or Council repeatedly mentioned this fact in the Nikāyas.


The nine attributes as recorded by the Council theras were taught also by the Theravāda theras to their own male and female disciples. First, these disciples had to memorize the Pāḷi text of the nine attributes.


Later, the meaning of each of the nine attributes was explained briefly, and also extensively, to the best of their ability. The explanations were in both Pāḷi and Myanmar. Due to these expansions and lengthy explanations, scholars wishing to find out the original meaning of the individual attributes are now facing many difficulties.


To overcome these difficulties as far as possible, Sayagyi U Kyaw Htut of the Board for Myanmar Translation of the Sixth International Buddhist Synod Pāḷi Texts made a careful study of the Pāḷi text of the Five Nikāyas for more than twenty years.


Based on that study and notes, Sayagyi tries his best to bring out and maintain the original meaning of each attribute of the Buddha. In giving lectures to Maṅgala classes, Abhidhamma classes and other classes, Sayagyi usually starts with his lecture on individual attributes of the Buddha as a sort of introduction.