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Maitreya18" x 24" ◊ Ground mineral pigment and silver on cotton cloth
- The Buddha of Loving-kindness - When Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in this world as the fourth Founding Buddha of the present age, Maitreya manifested as one of his disciples to demonstrate how the bodhisattva path should be followed. Shakyamuni Buddha predicted that his own teachings would last just 5000 years before disappearing from this world, and delusions such as hatred and jealousy would gain strength, adding to the suffering of the world. Thereupon, Maitreya would appear as a person of regal bearing, and teach the practice of patience and loving-kindness. Maitreya has great significance as the Buddha of the next era, providing the connecting link between the present and future lives of believers. |
