Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva 弥勒菩萨
Material: Clay （紫砂）
Origin: China
Height: 39 cm
Code: MS-014
The sanskrit meaning of "Maitri" is "friendliness" or "love" (慈氏). In his countless previous lifetimes as a bodhisattva, Maitreya specialised in the meditation on great love, hence his name. It was taught by Buddha Sakyamuni that Maitreya Bodhisattva is currently residing at Tushita Heaven where he teaches Mahayana. Amongst the 1000 Buddhas that will appear in this aeon, Buddha Sakyamuni was the 4th in place. The 5th Buddha to descend to this earth shall be Maitreya Bodhisattva.
This standing statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva differs from the more commonly seen seated one in vajrayana. An icon of Maitreya is a stupa that sits on his head or sometimes on a lotus flower that he holds.