The Importance of Physical Beauty

General Theravada topics
1

Knowing the Blackpill, I was shocked and excited to find traces of it in the Pāli Canon or, if you prefer the vanilla term, Tipiṭaka.

Saṁyutta Nikāya 37.2
1. Paṭhamapeyyālavagga
Purisasutta

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato puriso ekantaamanāpo hoti mātugāmassa. Katamehi pañcahi? Na ca rūpavā hoti, na ca bhogavā hoti, na ca sīlavā hoti, alaso ca hoti, pajañcassa na labhati—imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgato puriso ekantaamanāpo hoti mātugāmassa.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato puriso ekantamanāpo hoti mātugāmassa. Katamehi pañcahi? Rūpavā ca hoti, bhogavā ca hoti, sīlavā ca hoti, dakkho ca hoti analaso, pajañcassa labhati—imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgato puriso ekantamanāpo hoti mātugāmassā”ti.

English Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato:

“Mendicants, when a man has five factors he is extremely undesirable to a female. What five? He’s not attractive, wealthy, or ethical; he’s idle, and he doesn’t beget children. When a man has these five factors he is extremely undesirable to a female.

When a man has five factors he is extremely desirable to a female. What five? He’s attractive, wealthy, and ethical; he’s deft and tireless, and he begets children. When a man has these five factors he is extremely desirable to a female.”

Here, we can see that physical beauty was mentioned first, indicating its foremost importance when it comes to attraction between a male and a female.

Dīgha Nikāya 27
Aggaññasutta

Atha kho te, vāseṭṭha, sattā yo nesaṁ satto abhirūpataro ca dassanīyataro ca pāsādikataro ca mahesakkhataro ca taṁ sattaṁ upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ: ‘ehi, bho satta, sammā khīyitabbaṁ khīya, sammā garahitabbaṁ garaha, sammā pabbājetabbaṁ pabbājehi. Mayaṁ pana te sālīnaṁ bhāgaṁ anuppadassāmā’ti. ‘Evaṁ, bho’ti kho, vāseṭṭha, so satto tesaṁ sattānaṁ paṭissuṇitvā sammā khīyitabbaṁ khīyi, sammā garahitabbaṁ garahi, sammā pabbājetabbaṁ pabbājesi. Te panassa sālīnaṁ bhāgaṁ anuppadaṁsu.

English Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato:

Then those beings approached the being among them who was most attractive, good-looking, lovely, and illustrious, and said, ‘Come, good being, rightly accuse those who deserve it, blame those who deserve it, and banish those who deserve it. We shall pay you with a share of rice.’ ‘Yes, sirs,’ replied that being. They acted accordingly, and were paid with a share of rice.

Again, here, we can see that the Mahāsammatarājā was elected by the people because of his beauty—phsycial beauty.

I am sure there are other suttas that highlight the importance of physical beauty.

2

Yes, and physical beauty is the result of kamma.

https://suttacentral.net/mn135/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false

135. The Shorter Exposition of Action

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“Master Gotama, what is the cause and condition why human beings are seen to be inferior and superior? For people are seen to be short-lived and long-lived, sickly and healthy, ugly and beautiful, uninfluential and influential, poor and wealthy, low-born and high-born, stupid and wise. What is the cause and condition, Master Gotama, why human beings are seen to be inferior and superior?”

“Student, beings are owners of their actions, heirs of their actions; they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions as their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings as inferior and superior.”
[…]
“But here, student, some man or woman is not of an angry and irritable character; even when criticised a lot, he is not offended, does not become angry, hostile, and resentful, and does not display anger, hate, and bitterness. Because of performing and undertaking such action…he reappears in a happy destination…But if instead he comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is beautiful. This is the way, student, that leads to being beautiful, namely, one is not of an angry and irritable character…and does not display anger, hate, and bitterness.

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3

Another important sutta related to kamma and beauty.

AN 4.197: Mallikādevīsutta
Translation by Venerable Sujato

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Queen Mallikā went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why in this life some females are ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; and poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant?

And why are some females ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; but rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious?

And why are some females attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; but poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant?

And why are some females attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; and rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious?”

“Take a female who is irritable and bad-tempered. Even when criticized a little bit she loses her temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness. She doesn’t give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. And she’s jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others. If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; and poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant.

Take another female who is irritable and bad-tempered. … But she does give to ascetics or brahmins … And she’s not jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; but rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious.

Take another female who isn’t irritable and bad-tempered. … But she doesn’t give to ascetics or brahmins … And she’s jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; but poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant.

Take another female who isn’t irritable and bad-tempered. … She gives to ascetics and brahmins … And she’s not jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; and rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious.

This is why some females are ugly … and poor … and insignificant. And some females are ugly … but rich … and illustrious. And some females are attractive … but poor … and insignificant. And some females are attractive … and rich … and illustrious.”

When this was said, Queen Mallikā said to the Buddha:

“Sir, in another life I must have been irritable and bad-tempered. Even when lightly criticized I must have lost my temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness. For now I am ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking.

In another life I must have given to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. For now I am rich, affluent, and wealthy.

In another life, I must not have been jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others. For now I am illustrious. In this royal court I command maidens of the aristocrats, brahmins, and householders. So, sir, from this day forth I will not be irritable and bad-tempered. Even when heavily criticized I won’t lose my temper, become annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, or display annoyance, hate, and bitterness. I will give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. I will not be jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others.

Excellent, sir! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

So, sir, from this day forth I will not be irritable and bad-tempered. Even when heavily criticized I won’t lose my temper, become annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, or display annoyance, hate, and bitterness. I will give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. I will not be jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others.

We should all make this vow.

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4

What is the Blackpill to which you’ve made reference here?

While I am inclined to agree that physical beauty is a result of kamma, I also believe that physical beauty cannot occur in isolation from other wholesome factors such as compassion, generosity and good will.

Therefore, saying that physical attraction to a good looking and wealthy man supersedes one’s intelligence and compassion toward those who may be less fortunate is not entirely accurate. For example, an unwealthy man cannot be reprimanded for his lack of financial success if he is subjected to an environment of political and economic corruption that prevents him from acquiring wealth or climbing the social ladder. Perhaps, this individual may still possess physical attractiveness and become a wonderful father or caretaker. Or, another example would be a wealthy, attractive and morally sound individual is unable to father children – should a female deny him his love and devotion solely on this premise? Where are the Buddhist principles of compassion and loving kindness found in such standards?

But, perhaps the exact or specific combination of the unwholesome factors, in the instance of the five undesirable characteristics listed in Purisasutta, such as inferior morality (1), spiritual laziness (2), barrenness (3), physical repulsiveness (4) and financial disparity (5) – would yield such a challenging combination that no willing partner can be located to sustain such an abysmal combination. And this would be true about any kind of partner, be it a spouse, or a friend, or a relative.

5

Blackpill is lookism, genetic determinism, and realism.

It is the everythingness of looks.

I am sure you know this very well, seeing as how you are from the West, where looks are prevalent in every substantial part of your life, but it is the same everywhere, really, though less discussed than in the West.

It can. You know it can. And I understand what you’re saying. But, there is no need to spread sweet lies.

If you weren’t born white, attractive, and a woman, you’d realize this bitter truth—of which, one can do nothing to improve. That there is no love for you, just because you are 5’7". That you are just a wallet for most women. Dead bedroom. And that whenever you do it, your wife is painfully tolerating you. That she feels violated. That is far more sobering than anything.

I will not elucidate further—I am sensitive.

It pertains to the world, not Buddhism, hence such was said.

To not possess beauty worthy of a visit will be the difference between you becoming the next Mahāsammatarājā or not.

It is only natural. Unfortunate, but natural.

6

From my experience, people are willing to donate more to a beautiful person and treat them better. I remember I was on a train in New York. There would beggars with children coming onto the train and trying to sell stuff and make money. No one would really give them any money. However, when a beautiful woman with a child came, begging for money, people were giving her money.

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Such is reality.

A young man rescued his girlfriend from a burning apartment. However, immediately after regaining consciousness, she dumped him since his face was scorched and he appeared disgusting in her eyes.

Love is never unconditional.

Even a mother loves her children because they are hers—that is not unconditional, is it?

8

It’s person to person dependent.
And one can take responsibility for there own actions…
Good things happen when u r good looking is observed all over world.
But do u behave same with good looking and non good looking people?? That’s matter most…

Obviously love is not unconditional…
Metta , karuna , mudita ,uppekha are unconditional and that’s why included in Brahma viharas.

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