Maitreya

Maitreya is a central figure in many Buddhist traditions. He is a bodhisattva, which is a being working toward enlightenment. Most schools of Buddhism regard him as the future Buddha of this world.

His name comes from the Sanskrit word maitrī, meaning friendliness or loving-kindness. In the Pali language, this is called metta. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is known as the "Noble Loving One" or "Pakpa Jampa." Some even call him the "Lord of Love."

He is also referred to as Ajitā, meaning invincible or unconquerable, in some Buddhist literature.

The mechanism of Maitreya's arrival is tied to cosmic time. All Buddhist traditions view him as the direct successor to Gautama Buddha. He is prophesied to be the fifth and final Buddha of the current kalpa. A kalpa is a cosmic period or eon. Maitreya is expected to appear during an era of decline. This is a time when the Dharma, or the Buddha's teachings, have been disregarded or lost.

When he arrives, his goal is to re-establish the Buddha's Dharma on Earth. His teachings are expected to be similar to those of Gautama Buddha.

There are different ways people think about encountering Maitreya. Scholar Jan Nattier identified four main types of Maitreya myths. The first is the "here/now" myth, where devotees expect to meet him on Earth in their present lifetime. The second is "here/later," where they hope to meet him in a future lifetime after he attains Buddhahood.

The third is "there/now," involving visions of his court in Tushita heaven. The fourth is "there/later," where devotees wish to be reborn in his Tushita palace. This palace is considered his current Pure land.

History shows that Maitreya has been a major figure for centuries. His name, Metteyya, appears in the Pali Canon in the Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta.

Many Mahāyāna sutras discuss his role and his future activity. Some important Chinese translations include the Sutra on the Descending Birth of Maitreya. This was translated by Dharmarakṣa and later by Kumārajīva. Other texts were translated by Yijing in the 7th century. In Central Asia, the Maitreyasamitināṭaka was an extensive Buddhist play from around the 8th century.

The significance of Maitreya is found in his role as a source of hope. He represents a time when humans can enjoy an environment favorable to enlightenment.

Some traditions say he will attain Buddhahood in 5,670,000,000 years. This long duration connects the present to a very distant future. For many, he is a symbol of the potential for the release from worldly suffering. Even though he has not yet appeared as a Buddha, his presence is felt through many traditions.

Artistic depictions of Maitreya offer many clues to his identity. In the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, he was very popular.

He is often shown as a northern Indian prince. These images show him with fine flowing robes, jewels, and a full head of hair. He often carries a kamaṇḍalu, which is a water bottle or vase. In Indian symbolism, this represents immortality, fertility, or wealth.

In Tibetan Buddhism, this ritual vase is called a bumpa.

Maitreya connects to many different religious and scholarly ideas. Some modern scholars have looked at his name's possible links to ancient Indo-Iranian deities. They suggest connections to Mitra or the Zoroastrian figure Saoshyant. However, other scholars note differences in how these figures are portrayed in art.

Maitreya also connects to the concept of the Tushita heaven. Many Buddhists believe he currently resides there. This belief links the physical world to the celestial realms of Buddhist cosmology.