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Future History
Shakyamuni Buddha predicted that due to the inevitable degeneration of the times, his own teachings would last just five thousand years before disappearing from this world. People will grow more and more immoral and their lifespan will gradually decrease, as will their health, stature and fortune. While such delusions as miserliness, hatred and jealousy gain strength, the world will go through prolonged periods of famine, disease and continuous warfare until it eventually resembles a vast battlefield of graveyard. Thereupon Maitreya will appear, not in his fully evolved buddha form, but as a person of regal bearing, very handsome and taller than those around him. On seeing this unusual being, people will be filled with wonder and faith, and will ask how he came to have such an attractive appearance. Maitreya will reply that this is due to his practice of patience, avoiding giving harm to others, and if others will also abide in love and tolerance, they could become similar to him.
Maitreya's appearance will mark a great turning point in the fortunes of this world. As more and more beings follow his example, their store of merit, and consequently their lifespan, will increase. Eventually people will live in health for such a long time that the sufferings of old age and death will scarcely be known. At that time, their observance of morality will grow lax as people become more and more involved in the pleasures of their existence. With this laxity will come another gradual shortening and degeneration of their lifespan until eventually beings once again will become suitable ripe to take sincere interest in the spiritual path. When the human lifespan as increased again to many thousands of years, and when the planet will be entirely dominated by a benevolent wheel-turning sovereign (Chakravartin) named Shankha, it is at this time that Maitreya Buddha will descend from the Tushita buddha field (devaloka) where he now resides, to appear in this world as the fifth founding Buddha of this world age. Maitreya will be born the son of a Brahmin priest, and will renounce the world and attain enlightenment in a single day, not requiring six long years. The world in this time will be politically neutralised, and therefore the warrior class and its martial virtues will be obsolete. Thus he will be born among the intellectuals, the priests, and his teaching will bring the gentler emotions to the fore.
His teachings will not deviate from that of previous Buddhas, except for an interesting tradition that he will not teach any esoteric Tantras (most likely hinting that Maitreya's mission will in general be more effective than Shakyamuni's). This does not show a difference in the perfection of liberative techniques of the two Buddhas, rather a difference in the evolutionary stage of the human beings on the planet (Shakyamuni Buddha taught at a time of violence and widespread militarism, and had to turn to the martial qualities of toughness, ascetism and determination toward the pursuit of enlightenment.
Shakyamuni Buddha also predicted that those who followed his teachings would be reborn in the first circle of Maitreya's entourage and would be able to complete the spiritual path under Maitreya's guidance.
The Maitreyavyankarna or "The Prophecy Concerning Maitreya"
translated by Edward Conze in his Buddhist Scriptures (Penguin Books, 1959), pages 238-242.
Sariputra, the great general of the doctrine, most wise and resplendent, from compassion for the world asked the Lord: 'Some time ago you have spoken to us of the future Buddha, who will lead the world at a future period, and who will bear the name of Maitreya. I would now wish to hear more about his powers and miraculous gifts. Tell me, O best of men, about them!'
The Lord replied: 'At that time, the ocean will lose much of its water, and there will be much less of it than now. In consequence a world-ruler will have no difficulties in passing across it. India, this island of Jambu, will be quite flat everywhere, it will measure ten thousand leagues, and all men will have the privilege of living on it. It will have innumerable inhabitants, who will commit no crimes or evil deeds, but will take pleasure in doing good. The soil will then be free from thorns, even, and covered with a fresh green growth of grass; when one jumps on it, it gives way, and becomes soft like the leaves of the cotton tree. It has a delicious scent, and tasty rice grows on it, without any work. Rich silken, and other fabrics of various colours shoot forth from the trees. The trees will bear
leaves, flowers and fruits simultaneously; they are as high as the voice can reach and they last for eight myriads of years. Human beings are then without any blemishes, moral offences are unknown among them, and they are full of zest and joy. Their bodies are very large and their skin has a fine hue. Their strength is quite extraordinary. Three kinds of illness only are known -- people must relieve their bowels, they must eat, they must get old. Only when five hundred years old do the women marry.
The city of Ketumati will at that time be the capital. In it will reside the world-ruler, Shankha by name, who will rule over the earth up to the confines of the ocean; and he will make the Dharma prevail. He will be a great hero, raised to his station by the force of hundreds of meritorious deeds. His spiritual advisor will be a Brahmin, Subrahmana by name, a very learned man, well versed in the four Vedas, and steeped in all the lore of the Brahmins. And that Brahmin will have a wife, called Brahmavati, beautiful, attractive, handsome, and renowned.
Maitreya, the best of men, will then leave the Tushita heavens, and go for his last rebirth into the womb of that woman. For ten whole months she will carry about his radiant body. Then she will go to a grove full of beautiful flowers, and there, neither seated nor lying down, but standing up, holding on to the branch of a tree, she will give birth to Maitreya. He, supreme among men, will emerge from her right side, as the sun shines forth when it has prevailed over a bank of clouds. No more polluted by the impurities of the womb than a lotus by drops of water, he will fill this entire Triple world with his splendour. As soon as he is born he will walk seven steps forward, and where he puts down his feet a jewel or a lotus will spring up. He will raise his eyes to the ten directions, and will speak these words: "This is my last birth. There will be no more rebirth after this one. Never will I come back here, but, all pure, I shall win Nirvana!"
And when his father sees that his son has the thirty-two Marks of a Superman, and considers their implications in the light of the holy mantras, he will be filled with joy, for he will know that, as the mantras show, two ways are open to his son: he will either be a universal monarch, or a supreme Buddha. But as Maitreya grows up, the Dharma will increasingly take possession of him, and he will reflect that all that lives is bound to suffer. He will have a heavenly voice which reaches far; his skin will have a golden hue, a great splendour will radiate from his body, his chest will be broad, his limbs well developed, and his eyes will be like lotus petals. His body is eighty cubits high, and twenty cubits broad. He will have a retinue of 84,000 persons, whom he will instruct in the mantras. With this retinue he will one day go forth into the homeless life. A Dragon tree will then be the tree under which he will win enlightenment; its branches rise up to fifty leagues, and its foliage spreads far and wide over six Kos. Underneath it Maitreya, the best of men, will attain supreme enlightenment, there can be no doubt on that. And he will win his enlightenment the very same day that he has gone forth into the homeless state.
And then, a supreme sage, he will with a perfect voice preach the true dharma, which is auspicious and removes all ill, i.e. the fact of ill, the origination of ill, the transcending of ill, and the holy eightfold path which brings security and leads to Nirvana. He will explain the four Truths, because he has seen that generation, in faith, ready for them, and those who have listened to his Dharma will thereupon make progress in the religion. They will be assembled in a park full of beautiful flowers, and his assembly will extend over a hundred leagues. Under Maitreya's guidance, hundreds of thousands of living beings shall enter upon a religious life.
And thereupon Maitreya, the compassionate teacher, surveys those who have gathered around him, and speaks to them as follows: "Shakyamuni has seen all of you, he, the best of sages, the saviour, the world's true protector, the repository of the true Dharma. It was he who has set you on the path to deliverance, but before you could finally win it you have had to wait for my teaching. It is because you have worshipped Shakyamuni with parasols, banners, flags, perfumes, garlands, and unguents that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have offered to the shrines of Shakyamuni unguents of sandalwood, or powdered saffron, that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have always gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because, in Shakyamuni's dispensation, you have undertaken to observe the moral precepts, and have actually done so, that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have given gifts to the monks -- robes, drink, food, and many kinds of medicines -- that you have arrived here to hear my teaching. It is because you have always observed the sabbath days that you have arrived here to hear my teaching.
And Shakra, the thousand-eyed, the replendent king of the gods, rejoiced greatly, saluted the leader of the world, and praised him as follows: "Homage to you, O noblest of men! Homage to you, the best of all men! Have pity on the multitude, O Lord!" And also Mara, the greatly powerful, will be there, and he also will salute the leader of the world, and praise him. And, surrounded by his retinue of gods, Brahma also will proclaim the true Dharma with his heavenly voice. And the entire world shall be crowded with Arhats, whose outflows have dried up, who have got rid of their faults, who have shaken off all the bonds which tie them to becoming. Joyously the gods, men, Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Rakshasas worship the teacher, and so do the mighty Dragons. They also will lose their doubts, and the torrent of their cravings will be cut off: free from all misery they will manage to cross the ocean of becoming; and, as a result of Maitreya's teaching, they will lead a holy life. No longer will they regard anything as their own, they will have no possessions, no gold or silver, no home, no relatives! But they will lead a holy life of chastity under Maitreya's guidance. They will have torn the net of the passions, they will manage to enter into the trances, and theirs will be an abundance of joy and happiness; for they will lead a holy life under Maitreya's guidance.
For 60,000 years Maitreya, the best of men, will preach the true Dharma, which is compassionate toward all living beings, and when he has disciplined in his true Dharma hundreds and thousands of millions of living beings, then that leader will at last enter Nirvana. And after the great sage has entered Nirvana, his true Dharma still endures for another ten thousand years.
Raise therefore your thoughts in faith to Shakyamuni, the Conqueror! For then you shall see Maitreya, the perfect Buddha, the best of men! Whose soul could be so dark that it would not be lit up with a serene faith when he hears these wonderful things, so potent for future good! Those therefore who long for spiritual greatness, let them show respect to the true Dharma, let them be mindful of the religion of the Buddhas!
Ketumati: The City Of Wonders
In that city of Ketumati, not a single person will live in a hut made of wood and leaves. Everyone will live in palaces made of the seven types of gems. In all of Jambuudviipa, no one will engage in cultivation, in trade or in any other profession; and no one will suffer from hunger. In suitable places of the earth, a self-generating rice paddy will appear which will bear pearl-like grains with a fragrance but no chaff. When the harvest of one of those plants is taken, sixteen amunus (a measure of volume equal to approximately four bushels) and eight laas (a measure of volume equal to approximately one bushel) will remain after two thousand two hundred and seventy-two carts have been loaded! When this rice is cooked in a golden bowl on a hearth of gems on a fire arising from jotirasa [gems], everyone will consume it with tasty meats and other curries. When people feel the need to relieve themselves, a blue cloud will rush up to them and provide a cover. Instantly, a pit will
appear in the ground. When they have answered nature's call, the pit will disappear and a pond of water will take its place. When they have washed in that pond, the cloud will disappear. Thus the city of Ketumati will be like a heaven. As it has been said:
There will be a glorious city called Ketumatii inhabited by very rich people where there will be beautiful houses, pandals and gates which will shine like a heavenly city.
Jambuudviipa: The Wonderland
At that time, Jambuudviipa with all its [area of] ten thousand yojanas (a measurement approximately equal to seven miles) will be similar to the kingdom of Ketumatii, being as prosperous as a wedding house in season. In these kingdoms, men and women will wash and bathe in ponds with banks of white sands upon which stairs made of the seven types of gems lead down. These ponds will be frequented by swans and other birds and will always be covered by five types of water lilies. People will wear heavenly scents and creams, wreaths of divine flowers, selected ornaments and adorn themselves with garments and clothes freely given by the kalpa v.rk.sas (heavenly wishing trees which appear during the first phases of a kalpa during the time of an enlightened buddha that provide for all human material wants). They will enjoy the taste of heavenly-scented rice, sit and lie on comfortable beds with heavenly bedspreads, sleep while listening to music and watch the dancing of artists who resemble the artists in heaven. They will awaken from sleep hearing music and see their wealth and comforts by the light of lamps burning with scented oil. They will be especially happy when they see their great wealth of cash, grains, elephants, horses, servants and labourers. As their minds will be full of happiness, they will enjoy this life full of luxury and comfort. None of them will suffer from the ninety-eight or ninety-nine types of illness nor from the two hundred and three accidents. Their bodies will be as healthy as the gods. As it has been said:
The people of Jambuudviipa will be rich and prosperous. They will always be happy and gay, peaceful in mind, enjoying the five types of comforts, adorning their bodies with various ornaments which, devoid of all ailments, will shine like the bodies of the gods.
Maitreya's Invitation To Buddhahood
At that time, when the human world is more comfortable that the heavens and when men will live for eighty-four thousand years, all the 'Sakras, Brahmaas, Suyamas, Santu.sitas and Sunirmitas, all the brahmanaas and devas of the ten thousand universes which surround this fortunate galaxy (Mangul-Sakvala) of ours, will gather and approach Bodhisattva Maitreya living in the Tusita heaven and invite him as follows:
'O Great Lord, now is the time for you to become a Buddha.'
Then the great bodhisattva [will say]: 'Time, country, continent, family and mother; having observed these five, the buddhas will be born.'
The Battle With Maara -- Lord Of The Dead
This great bodhisattva, having made his renunciation, becoming a bhikkhu observing `siila, bathing in the river to cool his body, eating delicious milk-rice cooked in heavenly juices by his [former] queen Chandramukhii, sending his alms-bowl upstream to the abode of the naagas, sojourning for a day amidst festivities and offerings along a path prepared by attendant devas and brahmaas from the ten thousand universes, taking eight handfuls of arrow grass offered by a devotee, will approach his Naaga 'Srii Bodhi from the right side, circumambulate the tree three times in pradak.si.naa fashion [a clockwise circumambulation of a sacred object], examine the ground and spreading grass on that unconquerable spot, sit on the special seat of victory which will spontaneously spring up from the earth, place his back against the trunk of that bodhi [tree], and will await on that Diamond throne (vajraasana) in fourfold determination. At that moment, Vasavarti Maara, living in his abode and knowing that the bodhisattva awaits in four-fold determination to become a buddha, will think thus: 'I will not allow him to become a buddha; I will throw him out of the universe taking him by his legs.'
Followed by his maara forces (the Dasabimbaras -- who are ten times heavier than the earth) fierce and dangerous as they descend to the threshold of the universe, Maara will crane his neck to see but will fail even to approach Bodhisattva Maitreya, whose face is the symbol of compassion, and will beat a path backward in retreat. At this time, the sun, fifty yojanas in size, will shine its thousands of rays on the 'mountain of setting' like a great wheel being drowned in the ocean; meanwhile, the moon, forty-nine yojanas in size, will rise up out of the east as if to bathe the whole world in a milky ocean.
The Enlightenment
At this time, the great bodhisattva, awaiting underneath the bodhi tree, will illuminate the entire region around him with a golden halo emanating from his body. All the gods and brahmaas of the ten thousand universes, having followed him during his renunciation and paying tributes by music and dance, will continue to sing his praises. The sky will fill with showers of heavenly fragrant flowers. Then that mahaabodhisattva, taking up his Diamond throne under the bodhi tree, which itself is like a parasol made of emeralds, will sit in the hall of the universe illuminated by the golden light of the moon and surrounded like a curtain by the Cakravate mountains. Multitudes of gods and men will await in hopeful fashion. The great bodhisattva will then develop the special power of remembering past births during the first watch of the night; during the second watch, he will cultivate the power of seeing distant things; and in the last watch of the night while meditating on the twelve facets of pratiityasamutpaada in ascending and descending orders, he will gain omniscience and attain buddhahood just as the first rays of the morning sun appear.
Instantaneously, as on the day of his conception, the thirty-two auspicious signs will appear. The ten thousand universes will be adorned with earthly and divine flowers thickly and tightly arranged in wreaths on tables of floral design. That omniscient Maitreya, having attained all-perceiving wisdom making the entire world filled with celebration, will begin to express his exultation in words [after] spending seven weeks [in meditation on dhamma] under the bodhi [tree].
Maitreya's Salvific Message
Pondering the depth of his dharma during the eighth week and accepting an invitation [to preach] from Mahaa Brahmaa, going into a grove of Naa trees called Isipatana and sitting amidst an assembly of human and divine beings covering over one hundred yojanas, the entire length and width of this universe, the Buddha will turn the wheel of dharma which consists of the four noble truths: the truth of unsatisfactoriness, the truth of the origin of unsatisfactoriness, the truth of the elimination of unsatisfactoriness, and the truth of the way to final emancipation. Then billions of human beings and countless multitudes of devas and brahmaas will attain nirvaanas by understanding the four truths and their fruits.
While Maitreya saves the world by preaching his dharma, the cakravartin Sankha will offer to Maitreya and his great sangha his royal palace covering twenty-five yojanas, give his enormous wealth to beggars and the poor and, approaching the Buddha with a vast retinue, worship him with utter devotion, listen to his dharma, cleanse his mind, attain nirvaana and enter the sangha with all his followers by Maitreya's simple inducement: 'Come, O bhikkhu'. Then all of the gods and men will approach the Buddha and ask him questions regarding the four noble truths. The Buddha will respond in order to help them attain nirvaana. As a result, eighty-four thousand billions of men and gods will be saved from the ocean of sa.msaara. That ocean of sa.msaara, filled with the water of suffering with its waves of birth, old age and sickness, its whirlpools of desirous forms and sounds, its fish being like the various passions, residence of the female water-demons, is fed by the river waters of desire. Its length, width and depth can never be fully measured. Maitreya saves all beings sunk into the ocean of sa.msaara who are about to fall into the furnace of hell under the sea which is shaped like the head of a mare."
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