Maitreya

Maitreya is a bodhisattva expected to become the next buddha in the world after Śākyamuni, when the present teaching has disappeared.

Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta: A discourse in the Pali canon describing social decline and the future appearance of the Buddha Metteyya. This early Buddhist text gives a canonical account of Maitreya’s arrival.
Bodhisattva: A being who seeks buddhahood, especially for the benefit of others. Maitreya is described as a bodhisattva before becoming a buddha.
Maitreya in Gandhara: A tradition of Gandharan images depicting Maitreya as a princely bodhisattva. These early sculptures helped establish recognizable visual features for Maitreya.
Maitreya uprising: A 515 CE Chinese rebellion led by followers who invoked Maitreya’s expected advent. The uprising shows how Maitreya’s prophecy could motivate political action.
Maitreya-vyākaraṇa: A Buddhist prophecy text describing Maitreya’s future birth, awakening, and teaching. It elaborates the prophecy into a narrative of Maitreya’s future career.
Buddha: An awakened teacher who realizes liberation and teaches the path to it. Maitreya is expected to attain this status after Śākyamuni’s teaching fades.
Budai: A Chinese Buddhist monk whose image became associated with Maitreya in East Asian tradition. The cheerful, corpulent Budai differs sharply from the princely bodhisattva image.
Maitreya movement: A modern Chinese religious movement founded by Wang Hao-te and centered on Maitreya devotion. It adapts Maitreya’s expected arrival into a modern religious organization.
Anāgatavaṃsa: A Pali Buddhist text narrating the future life and awakening of the Buddha Metteyya. This work expands the brief canonical prophecy into a full biography.
Śākyamuni: The historical Buddha whose teachings founded the Buddhist tradition. Maitreya is prophesied to succeed Śākyamuni as the next buddha in this world.

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