Expert: Bodhicitta - 12/25/2007

Question
Hi there, greetings. I'm not sure whether to ask whom about Maitreya, as Maitreya Buddha is considered to be under the Mahayana tradition, but I hope you can give me some help on this?

According to the texts, Maitreya’s coming is characterized by a number of physical events. The oceans are predicted to decrease in size, allowing Maitreya to traverse them freely. The event will also allow the unveiling of the “true” dharma to the people, in turn allowing the construction of a new world. The coming also signifies the end of the middle time in which humans currently reside (characterized as a low point of human existence between the Gautama Buddha and Maitreya).

A particular difficulty faced by any would-be claimant to Maitreya's title is the fact that the Buddha is considered to have made a number of fairly specific predictions regarding the circumstances that would occur prior to Maitreya's coming- such as that the teachings of the Buddha would be completely forgotten, and all of the remaining relics of Sakyamuni Buddha would be gathered in Bodh Gaya and cremated.

So if the texts are true, does it mean that we should stop practising Buddhism, in order to let the Dharma be forgotten faster, so that Maitreya can descend faster, and spread the Dharma easier than to wait for the future?

Or, if Buddhism continues to attract followers throughout the world, someday that everyone in the world will be Buddhists. Does it mean that Maitreya will not descend to Earth,because the Dharma is well-known to everyone, and does it mean that Shakyamuni Buddha's predictions about the descending about Maitreya is incorrect?

I hope that you can guide me with this, as I am still a newbie in Buddhism. Sorry for any inconvinience caused. Thanks a lot. Till then.

Metta :)

Answer
Dear Sean
Thanks for your question.

According to the Mahayana texts  the great compassion
of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is always at work within
the world striving to free beings who are confused and
suffer. There are countless skillful means whereby
beings are helped in this world and throughout the cosmos.
The cosmos is large beyond our comprehension, time is endless beyond all understanding, and the number of beings,
the number of buddhas and bodhisattvas is countless beyond
stars in the dark night sky.

According to the sutras the world goes through countless
cycles of vast periods of time. Some are good and some
are not regarding the conditions for beings to learn
the dharma. We currently are in a fortunate age. There
have already been four Buddhas in this age teaching the
dharma. Shakyamuni was the fourth and the historic Buddha.
Maitreya will, according to some texts appear in four thousand or five thousand years to teach the dharma. Currently Maitreya resides in Tushita heaven - the place
from which all Buddha's reside before being born in the
world.

There is always a cycle when any Buddha teachs in the world. Immediately following the teaching there are good
conditions for practicing that Buddhas teaching. Then
there is a period of decline. Then everyone looses
touch with that Buddha's teachings.

It is good, if you follow Mahayana Buddhism to realise
that there is the vast cosmic play going on - in this world
and throughout the cosmos.

Waiting for Maitreya perhaps would not be wise at this
point as he is so far off and there are numerous otherways
to practice the dharma.I will give some examples.

According to the Tibetan Buddhism traditions - many
great Bodhisattvas have appeared in the world
and give teachings for these times we are in.

They would say that when the dark times of decline have entered the world then it is a good time
to turn to the Vajarayana teachings, which are part
of the Mahayana. The great sage Padmasambhava appeared in
Tibet in the 8th Century coming from India and the
land of Urgyen, himself
and emanation of the Buddha Shakyamuni. He was said to
teach the dharma that will be strong in the period of decline mixing secret means with compassion.

In other parts of the Mahayana world others pray and make
connections to Buddhhas that reside in other parts of the
cosmos. Amitabha Buddha, lord of compassion resides in the
Western pure land and makes connections to all her
practice with him.

As someone new to dharma, I would urge you to continue to
study and practice the vast teachings of the Mahayana
until you find something that connects with you
and which you can practice right now.

Best wishes
Bodhicitta