Once a certain brahmin named Dona, noticing the characteristic marks of the footprint of the Buddha, approached Him and Questioned Him.
"Your Reverence will be a Deva?”
"No, indeed, brahmin, a Deva am I not,” replied the Buddha.
"Then Your Reverence will be a Gandhabba?”
"No, indeed, Brahmin, a Gandhabba am I not.” “a Yakkha then?” “No, indeed, Brahmin, not a Yakkha.” "Then Your Reverence will be a human being?” “No, indeed, Brahmin, a human being am I not.” “Who, then pray, will Your Reverence be?” The Buddha replied that He had destroyed Defilements which condition rebirth as Deva, Gandhabba, Yakkha, or a human being and added:
"As a lotus, fair and lovely,
By the water is not soiled,
By the world am I not soiled;
Therefore, brahmin, am I Buddha.”
Note
Deva: a celestial being who resides in heavenly planes
Gandhabba: a heavenly musician
