天上天下唯我獨尊

The first words attributed to Śākyamuni after his first seven steps when born from his mother's right side: 'In the heavens above and (earth) beneath I alone am the honoured one. 'This announcement is ascribed to every Buddha, as are also the same special characteristics attributed to every Buddha, hence he is the 如來 come in the manner of all Buddhas. In Mahayanism he is the type of countless other Buddhas in countless realms and periods.