Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

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  • Jundo
    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
    • Apr 2006
    • 40295

    Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

    .
    MAITREYA is said to be the future Buddha, the successor to the historic Shakyamuni Buddha. It's said that his 'coming' may happen today, or perhaps in a few thousand (or perhaps millions) of years. In the meantime, he awaits his return, residing in Tushita Heaven. Yes, there are some elements to Maitreya rather like the 'Second Coming' of Jesus. Maitreya is taken by many as something like a Buddhist Messiah.

    He is often seen seated in a pose somewhat reminiscent of Rodan's "THE THINKER", but with softer shape and expression, sometimes tranquil and sometimes crying, contemplating the suffering of sentient beings. In fact, Maitreya's name may be derived from the Sanskrit word Maitri (Metta in Pali), 'loving-kindness'.

    Sometimes he is seen in this form ...



    ... perhaps from after he let himself go. However, the origins of this popular "Laughing Buddha" are actually found in a figure called Hotei from China, a jolly fat monk who happened to be a devotee of Maitreya, and whose image became mixed into the Maitreya legend over time. In any event, even if not really "Maitreya", the image is very popular in Chinese Buddhist temples ... and Chinese restaurants. One popular belief is that if one rubs his fat belly on the 1st day of the Lunar Year, it will bring forth wealth, good luck and prosperity.

    (In my case, I typically think of the Laughing Buddha when I break my diet ... often at a Chinese restaurant.)

    Maitreya was frequently taken as a cult symbol driving peasant rebellions and other mass movements for social change or revolution in China in centuries past.

    In so many ways, Maitreya is simply a symbol of future hope and change.

    Today’s Sit-A-Long video follows at this link. Remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 15 to 35 minutes is recommended.

    Last edited by Jundo; 10-07-2013, 02:36 AM.
    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE
  • ghop
    Member
    • Jan 2010
    • 438

    #2
    Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

    Originally posted by Jundo
    (In my case, I typically think of the Laughing Buddha when I break my diet ... often at a Chinese restaurant.)
    :lol: Me too, me too.

    Very inspiring talk. Thanks Jundo.

    gassho
    Greg (a future buddha too ops: )

    Comment

    • Seishin the Elder
      Member
      • Oct 2009
      • 521

      #3
      Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

      Maitreya may be sitting up/out/in there on his tush in Tushita Heaven, but us guys here ought to abide by the old Yiddish adage: Toches ahfen tish! :shock: and get down to work without waiting around for Tushy Heaven to fall on us. :lol:

      Gassho,

      Seishin Kyrill

      Comment

      • Hoyu
        Member
        • Nov 2010
        • 2020

        #4
        Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

        Jundo wrote:
        However, the origins of this popular "Laughing Buddha" are actually found a figure called Hotei from China, a jolly fat monk who happened to be a devotee of Maitreya, and whose image became mixed into the Maitreya legend over time.
        Thank you for explaining this because I thought that Hotei was the Buddha to come.

        Gassho,
        John
        Ho (Dharma)
        Yu (Hot Water)

        Comment

        • Dokan
          Friend of Treeleaf
          • Dec 2010
          • 1222

          #5
          Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

          Originally posted by JRBrisson
          Jundo wrote:
          However, the origins of this popular "Laughing Buddha" are actually found a figure called Hotei from China, a jolly fat monk who happened to be a devotee of Maitreya, and whose image became mixed into the Maitreya legend over time.
          Thank you for explaining this because I thought that Hotei was the Buddha to come.

          Gassho,
          John
          Yes I found this interesting as well! I had always thought Hotei was a real monk who was embellished upon posthumous.

          Lovely talk today Jundo. Really enjoy these Bodhisattva talks.

          Gassho,

          Shawn
          We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
          ~Anaïs Nin

          Comment

          • Tree
            Member
            • Mar 2011
            • 26

            #6
            Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

            Isn't Maitreya only required, when the Dharma is extinct again?

            There will be many people becoming Buddhas on Earth before the Dharma is extinct again right?
            David

            Comment

            • Jundo
              Treeleaf Founder and Priest
              • Apr 2006
              • 40295

              #7
              Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

              Originally posted by Tree
              Isn't Maitreya only required, when the Dharma is extinct again?

              There will be many people becoming Buddhas on Earth before the Dharma is extinct again right?
              Oh, well, might also say that the Dharma can become extinct in each moment when we lose it in ignorance. greed and anger ... and a new Buddha is born each moment when we find Wisdom and Compassion.

              Gassho, J
              ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

              Comment

              • Hoyu
                Member
                • Nov 2010
                • 2020

                #8
                Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                Oh, well, might also say that the Dharma can become extinct in each moment when we lose it in ignorance. greed and anger ... and a new Buddha is born each moment when we find Wisdom and Compassion.
                _/_
                Ho (Dharma)
                Yu (Hot Water)

                Comment

                • Taylor
                  Member
                  • May 2010
                  • 388

                  #9
                  Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                  Thank you for your touch of realism on the fantastic. Spending a year in the Tibetan tradition gave me a lot of mythology study, and not to say that the metaphors aren't beautiful, but I was less apt to believe in the layers and layers of cosmology. But, I'm just me so who knows what's out there :shock:

                  Anyways, I liked this. I considered myself an activist, and a vocal one (and sometimes choleric/vulgar one at that :P ). While I find it easy to be worked up over what need be changed, I sometimes find it hard to reconcile that I should be ok with what is and the fact that things need to be done. It think it may be the fact that I'm 20, and the fact that I haven't quite gotten used to my no-sided mouth. Thanks again for this.

                  Gassho,
                  Myoken
                  Gassho,
                  Myoken
                  [url:r05q3pze]http://staresatwalls.blogspot.com/[/url:r05q3pze]

                  Comment

                  • Seiryu
                    Member
                    • Sep 2010
                    • 620

                    #10
                    Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                    One moment of sitting, one moment of enlightenment, in that one moment we manifest perfect Buddha hood. In that moment we manifest Maiterya.

                    Gassho

                    Seiryu
                    Humbly,
                    清竜 Seiryu

                    Comment

                    • Kyonin
                      Treeleaf Priest / Engineer
                      • Oct 2010
                      • 6746

                      #11
                      Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                      I simply love this teaching. We sit/live with what there is.

                      I am sure that if we work/study/ hard and we live by the precepts, and if enough people do that everyday, a better world awaits us.

                      It's not a matter of metaphysical stuff. It's a matter of reaping the fruits of labor and consciousness.

                      Thank you for the teaching, Jundo Sensei.
                      Hondō Kyōnin
                      奔道 協忍

                      Comment

                      • Saijun
                        Member
                        • Jul 2010
                        • 667

                        #12
                        Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                        Hello friends,

                        Maitreya is near and dear to me. Here and now in each moment, he is waiting to manifest, and already manifest. Look closely!

                        Metta and Gassho,

                        Saijun
                        To give up yourself without regret is the greatest charity. --RBB

                        Comment

                        • Dosho
                          Member
                          • Jun 2008
                          • 5784

                          #13
                          Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                          Thank you Jundo.

                          Gassho,
                          Dosho

                          Comment

                          • Kaishin
                            Member
                            • Dec 2010
                            • 2322

                            #14
                            Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                            "That schmo?" LOL... great talk.

                            Gassho,
                            Matt
                            Thanks,
                            Kaishin (開心, Open Heart)
                            Please take this layman's words with a grain of salt.

                            Comment

                            • Heisoku
                              Member
                              • Jun 2010
                              • 1338

                              #15
                              Re: Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Maitreya

                              Thanks Jundo
                              Heisoku 平 息
                              Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. (Basho)

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