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Maitreya is seen with an extremely sweet and gentle countenance.  His right hand is held in the varada mudra (Tib. Mchog sbyin gyi phyag rgya) of generosity or boon granting, with his palm facing downwards and the fingers extended.

Surmounting his image is a parasol (Tib. Gdugs), the traditional symbol of both protection and royalty and a small stupa.  Beneath the stupa is a beautiful tree arch.  Making their home in the tree arch are 3 peacocks and 2 monkeys.  The arch is inlaid with three semi precious stones.

He is dressed in the clothes of either a Bhiksu or royalty.  He lacks most of the elaborate jewelry seen on images of Esoteric Buddhist deities, including armbands, anklets, crowns, and earrings.  Maitreya is flanked by his two acolytes, Asanga and his brother, Vasubandhu.  All three figures are decorated in semi precious stones.

The protuberance on the top of his head denotes superb mental acuity and his long earlobes denote superb perception, and the fact that he may have worn heavy earrings.  He bears a third eye, a symbol of enlightenment.

The statue is comprised  of several separate pieces, the parasol is separate from the arch.  The arch is removable from the base.  The base has a small tassel in the front which is also removable.  The three figures of Maitreya, Asanga and Vasubandhu all are separate from the base.

Maitreya is the future Buddha who is expected to come to earth from Tushita Heaven.  He is supposed to be passing the life of a Bodhisattva in the Tushita Heaven preparatory to his decent to earth in human form.  It is said that he will come to earth a full 4,000 years after the disappearance of Gautama Buddha for the deliverance of all sentient beings.  He is the only Bodhisattva who is worshipped by both the Hinayanists and the Mahayanists.

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