The Buddha on Beauty: "Miss Universe"

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez (left) is crowned Miss Universe 2009 by 2008 Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, another Venezuelan, at Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas, on August 23, 2009 (AFP/Timothy A. Clary). Latin Beauty Wins "Miss Universe" Again / PHOTOS

Five Desirable Things

(AN V, 43)

Once the Buddha addressed the multi-millionaire householder Anathapindika:

"There are, O householder, five things that are wished for, loved, and agreeable yet rarely gained in the world:

1. beauty
2. long life
3. happiness
4. fame
5. rebirth in heaven

"But of these five, I do not teach that they are to be obtained by prayer or by vows. If one could obtain them in that way, who would not obtain them?

"A noble disciple, householder, who wishes to have beauty should follow a path of life that is conducive to beauty. [The ancient commentary to this sutra explains that this means a path of meritorious conduct by practicing generosity, virtue, and meditation; the cause of beauty is non-anger]. By following such a path, one will obtain beauty [here and now or even hereafter], be it divine or human. It is not befitting that one should pray for beauty, or make vows, or take delight in doing so.

"A noble disciple, householder, who likewise wishes to have long life, happiness, fame, and rebirth in heaven should follow a path of life that is conducive to long life, happiness, fame, and rebirth in heaven. By following such a path one will obtain them [even without wishing]. It is not befitting that one should pray for them, or make vows, or take delight in doing so."