The Future Buddha to Come – Buddha Maitreya
Maitreya (Main Figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha Kashyapa, Maitreya, White Mahakala and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Maitreya (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Jampa (Tibetan); Ajita (Sanskrit)
Maitreya’s name literally means ‘Great Love’ in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. He is said to currently be a crowned bodhisattva residing in Tushita pure realm, awaiting his time to take rebirth on earth to become the future Buddha. Once reborn, he will sit under a sacred tree and achieve complete and perfect Enlightenment like his predecessor, Buddha Shakyamuni. By that time, Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings will have disappeared and the world will be engulfed in a dark age as it is devoid of true Dharma.
Thereafter, Maitreya will go on to perform the 12 great deeds of a fully enlightened Buddha. One of the major deeds he is to perform is the turning of the wheel of the Dharma, which means that he will give teachings and re-establish the fortunate era of Buddhadharma. It is said in the scriptures that Maitreya will be the fifth Buddha to do this during this great eon, while Buddha Shakyamuni was the fourth Buddha. According to prophecy, Maitreya will become Shakyamuni’s successor but unlike his predecessor, Buddha Maitreya will only teach the path of Sutra. This means that he will not give teachings on Tantra.
It is said that Maitreya also manifested as one of the Eight Bodhisattva disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni. The great Indian master Asanga is said to have received visions of the Bodhisattva Maitreya and was transported to Tushita in order to receive teachings directly from him. The Indian master went on to pen down these incredible teachings into what is known as the “Five Treatises” by Maitreya and from these texts arose the Method lineage of the Lamrim (or the Stages on the Path to Enlightenment).
It is said that Lama Tsongkhapa and Atisha are currently residing in Tushita as part of the retinue of Maitreya. Hence, those who engage in Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga or Gaden Lhagyama create the causes to be reborn in Tushita amongst the retinue of Maitreya. Some lamas like Domo Geshe Rinpoche purposely install large icons of Maitreya in monasteries and temples to created the causes to be reborn amongst the retinue of disciples of Maitreya.
Deity: Buddha Shakyamuni (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Sangye Shakya Tupa (Tibetan)
Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha of our current era and together with Maitreya and Buddha Kashyapa, they are collectively known as the Buddhas of the Three Times – past, present and future. The Buddha of the Past is Kashyapa; the Buddha of the Present is Buddha Shakyamuni; and the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya. Before he became Buddha Shakyamuni, he was a prince known as Siddartha who renounced his courtly life in pursuit of an answer to sickness, old age and death. He attained complete enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in a place that is now known as Bodhgaya. This sacred location is a major power place for Buddhists from around the world. In fact, the Buddha recommended pilgrimage to four places: Bodhgaya as the place of his enlightenment, Lumbhini as the place of his birth, Sarnath Park near Varanasi as the place where he gave his first teachings and Kushinagar as the place of his Mahaparinirvana or place of his great passing.
Deity: Buddha Kashyapa (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Osung Chenpo (Tibetan)
Buddha Kashyapa attained enlightenment prior to Buddha Shakyamuni. Therefore he is the third of the thousand Buddhas of this Fortunate Aeon. Buddha Kashyapa, together with Maitreya and Buddha Shakyamuni, form a trio that is collectively known as the Buddhas of the Three Times – past, present and future. The Buddha of the Past is Kashyapa; the Buddha of the Present is Buddha Shakyamuni; and the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya. Just like Buddha Shakyamuni, Kashyapa descended from Tushita to take a final rebirth before manifesting complete and perfect enlightenment under a sacred tree. Unfortunately, his teachings completely disappeared before the age of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Deity: White Mahakala (English)
Alternative name: Shadbhuja Sita Mahakala (Sanskrit); Gonpo Karpo Chagdrugpa (Tibetan)
White Mahakala is, in essence, the emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He is also the wealth protector deity of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. White Mahakala protects by providing inner and outer wealth for practitioners. This protector deity is today so popular that he is now propitiated within all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Deity: Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden is recognised to be an emanation of the bodhisattva Manjushri and he arose from a long line of incarnated lamas who strove to proliferate and protect the Buddhadharma. Furthermore, Dorje Shugden is a protector of recent origins and hence, he is widely renowned to be efficacious and powerful in overcoming our obstacles and creating favourable conditions for our practice.
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Beautifully drawn thangka and thank you Rinpoche for providing the description of each Buddha. All 3 great Buddha of past, present and future are put here, including White Mahakala and Dorje Shugden. Very blessed to have this thangka to be in the house. To remind us to practise dharma as time is precious.
Beautiful art scroll painting of the future Buddha to come – Buddha Maitreya along side with Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha Kashyapa, White Mahakala and Dorje Shugden. Truly stunning and fortunate to have one on our altar. Maitreya, in Buddhist tradition is the future Buddha, presently a bodhisattva residing in the Tushita heaven. that many Buddhists believe will eventually appear on earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for explaining the details of art painting of each deities.