Maitreya Buddha is a
Mahābodhisattva who would be the next Buddha to come
when the teaching of Buddha
Sakyamuni will have disappeared.
*
Belief in the advent of
Maitreya is common
to the Theravada and Mahāyāna schools of Buddhism.
*
In the distant future (about 5000 years after Parinirvana
of Buddha Shakyamuni), when Buddhist teachings
will have died out, Buddha
Maitreya will be incarnated
to teach the Holy Dharma again.
*
The Most Holy
Nagarjuna describes devotion to
Maitreya as an easy path to Enlightenment.
*
Maitreya Buddha is known as a protector of beings,
wearing an amulet with his image is a powerful safeguard
against the hazards of material life and provides a physical link
with the Buddha of the future.
