No. 278Buddhism

Maitreya

彌勒菩薩 (मैत्रेय)

The gentle bodhisattva of loving-kindness, waiting in Tushita heaven to become the next Buddha

Maitreya, whose name comes from Sanskrit maitrī, 'loving-kindness,' is the Buddha still to come. Buddhists of nearly every school honour him as a bodhisattva who waits in the joyful Tushita heaven until Shakyamuni's teachings have faded from the world. Devotees believe he will then be born on earth to awaken and teach again.

Devotees turn to him for loving-kindness and for hope in a future age of awakening. He is Metteyya in the Pali canon, Mílè in China, Miroku in Japan, Mireuk in Korea and Jampa in Tibet. In Theravada he remains the only bodhisattva generally honoured. His birthday is marked on Lunar New Year's Day, and Geluk monasteries hold a Maitreya procession as a monastic rite.

See the gallery
Maitreya
Maitreya, after 599. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Bliss Parkinson, 1970 (CC0)

How to recognise Maitreya

  1. Stupa in the crownA small stupa (caitya) sits at the centre of his jewelled crown or in his hair, the detail that tells him apart from other crowned bodhisattvas; one reading is that it holds relics of Shakyamuni, his teacher.
  2. Feet-down seatHe sits on a throne or lotus seat in the 'European' posture, both legs hanging down and feet flat, which teachers read as readiness to rise and enter the world.
  3. Young prince's dressHe is a bodhisattva dressed as a young Indian prince rather than in a plain monk's robe, with jewels, necklaces, earrings and celestial scarves.
  4. Teaching handHis right hand is raised at the chest in vitarka (discussion) mudra, the gesture of teaching.
  5. Water vaseHis left hand holds a water vase or ewer (kundika); Tibetan and Indian images may instead show lotus stems carrying a vase and a wheel.
  6. Golden-yellow skinHis complexion is golden-yellow.
  7. Gentle smileHis face is serene, with a loving smile.

Names and titles

  • The Loving OneHis name comes from maitrī, 'friendliness' or 'loving-kindness'; in Chinese he is the 'compassionate one' (慈氏)
  • The Buddha Yet to ComeHe is the future Buddha who will teach the dharma anew when Gautama's teachings have faded
  • Waiting in the Joyful HeavenHe lives as a bodhisattva in the Tushita heaven (the 'Heaven of Joy') until the right time to descend
  • Ready to RiseHis feet-down seat shows readiness to stand and enter the world
  • Jampa, the Kind OneTibetan Byams-pa, 'kind' or 'loving'

Feast days

  • Maitreya's Birthday (彌勒菩薩聖誕)1st day of the 1st lunar month (next: 6 February 2027)

    Maitreya's birthday is kept in East Asian Mahayana Buddhism on the first day of the lunar year. It honours Maitreya, the bodhisattva whom Buddhists believe now dwells in Tushita Heaven and will become the next Buddha.

    How it's celebrated. After New Year's Eve bell-ringing, some Chinese and Taiwanese monasteries hold birthday services at dawn on the first morning. Many families keep a meat-free New Year's Day. Worshippers may visit temples and rub the belly of the laughing Maitreya (Budai) image for good fortune. Tibetan Buddhists mark Losar around the same time, and its date can differ by a day.

    Sources: Taiwanese Gods: Maitreya Buddha · Buddha Weekly: Celebrating Maitreya Day · BuddhaNet: Mi-Lo-Fwo, Maitreya Buddha

Maitreya in the shop

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Sources

  1. Britannica: Maitreya (Buddhism)
  2. Wikipedia: Maitreya
  3. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore: Maitreya Trinity
  4. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore: Buddha Maitreya
  5. Rubin Museum of Art: Maitreya (Project Himalayan Art)
  6. Wisdom Library: The Indian Buddhist Iconography (Maitreya)
  7. Inspire Culture: Maitreya, the Future Buddha
  8. BuddhaNet: Buddhist Studies (Maitreya)
  9. Taiwanese Gods: Maitreya
  10. BuddhaNet: Chinese Buddhist Festivals
  11. Buddhism.net: Maitreya Buddha Birthday
  12. BuddhaNet: Maitreya text
  13. Wikipedia: Budai
  14. Learn Religions: The Laughing Buddha
  15. Buddhistdoor: The Pure Land of Maitreya Buddha
  16. Britannica: Tushita Heaven
  17. China Discovery: Leshan Giant Buddha
  18. Loong Wander: The Leshan Giant Buddha
  19. Norlha: Monlam Chenmo
  20. Norlha: Monlam, the Great Prayer Festival
  21. Tibetreisen: Monlam Festival of Labrang Monastery, Xiahe
  22. FPMT Mandala: Extracts from a Monlam Diary
  23. Kyoto Kanko: Kōryū-ji
  24. Kyoto Travel: Kōryū-ji
  25. Wikipedia: Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation (National Treasure No. 83)
  26. Wikipedia: Chinese New Year
  27. Buddha Weekly: Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Future Buddha
  28. Wikipedia: Maitreya (disambiguation)
  29. E-Tamga: article on Maitreya
  30. Butuzou: Maitreya (Miroku Bosatsu)
  31. HD Asian Art: Maitreya Buddha Statue in Asian Art
  32. Wikipedia: Lu Zhongyi
  33. Wikipedia: Monlam Prayer Festival

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