MAITREYA BUDDHA (JYAMBA)

    Maitreya Buddha is a future Buddha who is expected to come to earth from Tushita Heaven. He is supposed to be passing the life of a Bodhisatwa in the Tushit Heaven preparatory to his descent to earth in Human form. It is said that he will come to earth full 4000 years after the disappearance of Gautam Buddha for the deliverance of all sentient beings. He is the only Bodhisatwa who is worshipped both by the Hinayanists and the Mahayanists. Maitreya may be represented as a standing figure adorned with rich ornaments and holding in his right hand the stalk of a lotus. Maitreya may also be represented seated as a Buddha, with legs either interlocked or dangling down. His colour is yellow, and his images sometimes bear the figures of Dhyani Buddhas.