Maitreya, "The Friendly and Benevolent One" or "One Who Possesses Loving-kindness" is widely adored by the Chinese Buddhists for his willingness to grant help to those who direct their minds towards him. He is also known as Ajita, 'the Unconquered' and ranks equal with the other great Bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samanthabadra, Mahasthamaprata and Ksitigarbha. As the next Buddha-to-be he alone enjoys the distinction of being the only Bodhisattva recognised and popularly accepted by both Mahayanist and Theravadin countries.
Maitreya has taken numerous incarnations in various Buddhist countries and China has had quite a fair share of them. Historically, the most important amongst them, is said to be that as the son of a King of Varanise in Central Asia. Record has it that he was born with the full thirty-two marks of a superior being who subsequently became a disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha and was one of the main interlocutors in the Mahayana Sutras where he conversed with some of the great disciples of the Buddha.
Although he is, strictly speaking, still a Bodhisattva of the ninth stage, the tenth being that of a fully Enlightened Buddha, he is often worshipped as a Buddha in anticipation of his becoming the next Blessed One in the future. Both as Bodhisattva and Buddha he now resides in the Tusita Heaven, the Heavenly Realm of the Devas, where all the Buddhas-to-be will always reside; pending their appearance as Buddha on earth to save mankind and thereby traversing the tenth and final stage or 'Bhumi', to attain Supreme Buddhahood for the sake of benefitting all sentient beings.
* HXLXD: 9" X 5.25" X 4.5" Inches.
* Color: Antique Gold and black.
* Weight: 6 lbs.
* Handcrafted by Skilled artisans.
***New vintage item in great condition with some natural oxidation and pitting. Item is sold as seen in photos please look carefully at the images for all the details before making your purchase, item you will receive is the exact one as in photos here ***
