Maitreya — The Future Buddha
Deities

Maitreya — The Future Buddha

Maitreya — Future Buddha (弥勒, 弥勒佛)

Status · Anusandhāna
Source · Tier 1
Tradition · Buddhist
Period · c. 1st century BCE–present

Maitreya — The Future Buddha

Tradition

Buddhist / Mahayana / Theravada — 1st century BCE to present; worldwide

Location

  • Originated in India; major centers in China, Japan, Tibet, Central Asia, Southeast Asia

Timeline

| Year | Event | Source | |------|-------|--------| | c. 1st c. BCE | Earliest textual references to Maitreya in Buddhist sutras | Mahayana sutras; scholarly analysis | | c. 1st-2nd c. CE | Maitreya statues appear in Gandhara and Mathura art | Archaeological evidence; Buddhist art history | | c. 3rd-4th c. CE | Maitreya images spread to Central Asia; Bamiyan Buddhas commissioned | Buddhist art history; historical records | | c. 400 CE | Faxian describes Maitreya worship and statues in India | Faxian, Fo-Kwo-Ki | | c. 640 CE | Xuanzang describes large Maitreya statues in Central Asia | Xuanzang, Si-Yu-Ki | | c. 7th-9th c. CE | Maitreya worship flourishes in China; Yungang and Longmen caves | Chinese Buddhist art history | | c. 1344 CE | Ibn Battuta observes Maitreya worship in Central Asia | Ibn Battuta, Rihla | | 2001 CE | Taliban destroys Bamiyan Buddha statues | International news; UNESCO |

Foreign Traveler Quotes

"In the kingdom of Kustana, there is a great statue of Maitreya the Future Buddha, carved in stone, about 40 feet high. The monks here venerate Maitreya and look forward to his appearance in the world to teach the true dharma." — Faxian (Fa-Hien), Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Fo-Kwo-Ki, c. 400 CE

"In the region of Khorasan, there is a great mountain with two enormous statues of the Buddha cut into the rock face. The local people say these represent the Future Buddha Maitreya. The statues are more than 100 feet in height and are visible from a great distance." — Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Si-Yu-Ki, c. 640 CE

"I passed through lands where the people carve enormous figures in the mountains, images of a Buddha they say will come in the future to restore the true faith. The largest of these images has been destroyed by some, but others maintain it with reverence." — Ibn Battuta, Moroccan traveler, Rihla, c. 1344 CE

Sacred Narrative

Maitreya (弥勒, 'loving kindness') is the Future Buddha in Buddhism, currently residing in the Tusita heaven. According to Buddhist eschatology, Maitreya will appear in our world when the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha have faded, to teach the dharma again.

Maitreya is a major bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism with extensive textual development. The famous Bamiyan Buddhas (55m and 18m) were among the largest Maitreya statues before their destruction in 2001. Chinese pilgrims Faxian (5th century) and Xuanzang (7th century) described large Maitreya statues in Central Asia.

Today Maitreya is worshipped across all Buddhist traditions as the Future Buddha, especially prominent in East Asian Buddhism. Temples and caves like Yungang Grottoes (China) are major pilgrimage sites for Maitreya devotees.

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✦Wisdom Graph: Divine Associations✦

📖 Stories

  • Maitreya — The Future Buddha and the Promise of the Next Turning of the Dharma Wheel
    **Maitreya** (弥勒, 'loving kindness') is the Future Buddha in Buddhism, currently residing in the **Tusita heaven** as the 9th in the sequence of 27 historical Buddhas preceding him in this world-system. According to Buddhist eschatology, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to appear in our world, teaching the **dharma** when the teachings of the current Buddha (Shakyamuni) have decayed and disappeared. In Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya is a major bodhisattva figure who will appear in the future "when the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha have been forgotten." He is associated with the **next turning of the dharma wheel** — a new set of teachings that will be appropriate for beings in that future time. **Maitreya images** are among the most common in Buddhist art, particularly in China, Japan, and Central Asia. The famous **Bamiyan Buddhas** (55m and 18m) in Afghanistan were among the largest Maitreya statues in the world before their destruction by the Taliban in 2001. Chinese pilgrims **Faxian** (5th century) and **Xuanzang** (7th century) both described large Maitreya statues in Central Asia and India. In **Theravada** tradition, Maitreya is not emphasized as a future savior but is still recognized as a bodhisattva who will become the next Buddha. In **Mahayana** tradition, Maitreya is a major figure with extensive textual development. Tibetan Buddhism includes elaborate Maitreya practices and visualizations. The concept of Maitreya represents Buddhist eschatology — the belief that the dharma will decline and then be restored by a future Buddha. This provides hope for Buddhist practitioners that even after the current teachings fade, another Buddha will arise. Today Maitreya is worshipped across all Buddhist traditions as the Future Buddha and is especially prominent in East Asian Buddhism, where temples dedicated to Maitreya (such as the **Yungang Grottoes**) are major pilgrimage sites.
    — Buddhist tradition + Mahayana sutras + scholarly sources

🛕 Principal Temples

  • Bamiyan Buddhas (Large Buddha of Bamiyan)3rd-4th century CE (possibly 6th century CE)
    📍 Bamiyan Valley, Bamyan, Afghanistan
    34.4971°, 67.8256° — view on map
    Giant Maitreya statue (55m height) destroyed by Taliban in 2001; represented the Future Buddha
  • Yungang Grottoes — Maitreya Cave5th-6th century CE
    📍 Yungang, Shanxi, China
    Massive Maitreya statue in cave; major early Chinese Buddhist site
  • Longmen Grottoes — Maitreya Pavilions5th-8th century CE
    📍 Longmen, Henan, China
    Large Maitreya statues in cave complexes
  • Puskar Pulleraya (Maitreya temple)10th-12th century CE
    📍 Sravanabelagola, Hassan, India
    Jain site but nearby Buddhist Maitreya worship; references to Buddhist Maitreya

🎊 Festivals

  • Maitreya Day (Maitreya Puja)
    Various (often tied to lunar calendar) · 1-3 days
    Special prayers and meditations on Maitreya's future advent; some communities celebrate annually
  • Bamiyan Buddha Commemoration
    Variable · 1 day
    Memorial event honoring the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas; reflections on Maitreya symbolism

📜 Primary Scriptural Sources

  • Madhyama Agama (MA) — Maitreya sectionMahayana scripture
  • Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Pundarika) — Chapter on MaitreyaMahayana scripture
  • Maitreya Samiti (text on Maitreya's descent)Mahayana scripture
  • Ashta Mahakarika (Eight Great Acts of Maitreya)Tibetan Buddhist text