Buddha Maitreya

Just as Christians await the coming of Christ, Buddhists throughout the world await the coming of Buddha Maitreya. He is prophesied to become the fifth universal teacher of this world era. His deeds will usher in a golden age on earth, and bring an end to the culture of war, violence, intolerance, and hatred that characterizes the present time in human history. Those who meditate on him will be reborn then and help in the work of creating the new age. The name Maitreya literally translates as "Love."

Although here Maitreya appears in the form of a bodhisatttva, this is just a piece of theater and an illusory drama that he performs for the sake of tradition. When he incarnates as the man destined to play the role of the fifth universal teacher, he will go through the motions of birth, training, meditation, and the attainment of enlightenment; but in reality he is already a buddha, and just pretends to accomplish these deeds in order to benefit the minds of trainees.

This particular statue of Maitreya is made of gilded copper. It was constructed in pieces and then assembled. The joining rivets are quite visible and exemplify an important sixteenth-century technique of sculpture.

Text excerpted from the exhibition catalog written by Glenn Mullin and Andy Weber.

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