[160] "Bhikkhus, inasmuch as the Tathāgata — in a former birth, a former existence, a former abode (niketa), being then a human being — was the forerunner of the multitude in wholesome states (kusalā dhammā), the foremost of the multitude by good conduct of body (kāyasucarita), by good conduct of speech (vacīsucarita), and by good conduct of mind (manosucarita), in giving and sharing (dānasaṃvibhāga), in the undertaking of precepts (sīlasamādāna), in the observance of the Uposatha (uposathūpavāsa), in dutifulness toward mother (matteyyatā), in dutifulness toward father (petteyyatā), in dutifulness toward ascetics (sāmaññatā), in dutifulness toward brahmins (brahmaññatā), in honoring the eldest of the family (kule jeṭṭhāpacāyitā), and in various other higher wholesome states (adhikusalā dhammā) — he, because of having performed that deed (kamma), … Passing away from there and coming to this state of being, he obtains this mark of a Great Man (mahāpurisalakkhaṇa): his head is like a royal turban (uṇhīsasīso hoti).
Endowed with that mark, if he dwells in the home, he becomes a king, a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti) … Being a king, what does he obtain? A great multitude of people are his followers: brahmins and householders, townsfolk and countryfolk, finance ministers, army officers, gatekeepers, ministers, councillors, kings, fief-holders, and princes. Being a king, this is what he obtains. … Being a Buddha, what does he obtain? A great multitude of people are his followers: bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, laymen, laywomen, devas, humans, asuras, nāgas, and gandhabbas. Being a Buddha, this is what he obtains."
The Blessed One spoke this matter. Concerning that, it is said:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.