Maitreya Buddha 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 Bhodisattva who is worshipped by both 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.

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