Question: If a person resembles the Buddha in appearance to some extent, is he or she destined become a monastic? Does it means that he or she has been a Dharma practitioner in a past life?
Answer: Just because someone has some resemblance to the way the Buddha is often depicted does not mean that person will definitely advance towards Buddhahood, just as another who has less resemblance can advance as well. And even if one was a practitioner in the past, it does not guarantee one will be so in the future. Forms can be deceiving. It’s difficult for us unenlightened beings to judge by appearances. What’s more important is that we encourage one another to continue to practise the Dharma diligently now!
