Page 5 - 慈悲邮心佛邮展解说（二） Stamp Eplanation eBooklet 2

弥勒佛
BUDDHA

MAITREYA

Maitreya Buddha presently a

Bodhisattva residing in the Tushita

heaven is also known as the future

Buddha. It is believed that Maitreya

will appear on earth in the future

when the teachings of Gautama

Buddha has totally disappeared. He is

accepted by all schools of Buddhism.

The name Maitreya is taken from the

Sanskrit maitri (in Pali, metta), which

means “loving kindness.” In Mahayana

Buddhism, Maitreya is the embodiment

of all-encompassing love. He is

represented in paintings and sculpture

both as a bodhisattva and Buddha and

is frequently depicted seated in

European fashion or with his ankle

loosely crossed.