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Thread: Can we discuss Maitriea

  1. #1

    Can we discuss Maitriea

    It seems fascinating,
    It seems as though there are as many praising the idea as there are who think it's some sort of out there conspiracy.
    Though what dose it really mean?
    is the point of Maitreya missed on these new sects that believe that we need a new ecumenical, unitarian religion?
    What do the original words of the Buddha imply about this supposed potential Buddha?
    Is it premature to assume that this will be an earthly man?

    Gassho,
    Jess.

  2. #2

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by thirst_for_knowledge
    It seems as though there are as many praising the idea as there are who think it's some sort of out there conspiracy.
    Though what dose it really mean?
    is the point of Maitreya missed on these new sects that believe that we need a new ecumenical, unitarian religion?
    [..]

    Can you give some citations for some background info to your question as in who is "are as many praising the idea" and "these new sects"?

  3. #3

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by thirst_for_knowledge
    It seems fascinating,
    It seems as though there are as many praising the idea as there are who think it's some sort of out there conspiracy.
    Though what dose it really mean?
    is the point of Maitreya missed on these new sects that believe that we need a new ecumenical, unitarian religion?
    What do the original words of the Buddha imply about this supposed potential Buddha?
    Is it premature to assume that this will be an earthly man?

    Gassho,
    Jess.
    How is Maitreya considered a conspiracy?

    There are countless Buddhas, Maitreya is a future one that the historical Buddha said would come in a degenerate time.

  4. #4

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Dear Jess,

    I think you are referring to a relatively popular New-Age/Conspiracy type of world vision that uses the name of the future Buddha Maitreya (Mirako in Japanese) and integrates it into something that has nothing to do with Buddhism. Please be aware of the fact that I do not claim to be a Buddhist authority or a cult specialist, however everything I have

    a) learned about Buddhadharma

    and

    b) learned about New-Age groups and/or conspiracy theories

    points me to believe that this Maitreya issue you are referring to has abolutely no connection to traditional or even modern Zen Buddhism.

    Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry (which always has to be read with a critical eye) about the original Buddhist Maitreya.:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya

    Gassho,

    Hans

  5. #5

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by anista
    Quote Originally Posted by thirst_for_knowledge
    It seems fascinating,
    It seems as though there are as many praising the idea as there are who think it's some sort of out there conspiracy.
    Though what dose it really mean?
    is the point of Maitreya missed on these new sects that believe that we need a new ecumenical, unitarian religion?
    What do the original words of the Buddha imply about this supposed potential Buddha?
    Is it premature to assume that this will be an earthly man?

    Gassho,
    Jess.
    How is Maitreya considered a conspiracy?

    There are countless Buddhas, Maitreya is a future one that the historical Buddha said would come in a degenerate time.
    I'm not speaking in terms of traditional Buddhism,only that there are some Christian fanatics who confuse Maitreyia for the "Antichrist"
    On top of that there are these weird new-age sects that think that believe that Maitreya is this new messianic being that will bring all religion together if we all only give up all of our worldly possessions wright a nice big fat check to the church of spiritual confusion.
    That said, I was just wondering what was the connection in traditional Buddhism?

  6. #6

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by Hans
    Dear Jess,

    I think you are referring to a relatively popular New-Age/Conspiracy type of world vision that uses the name of the future Buddha Maitreya (Mirako in Japanese) and integrates it into something that has nothing to do with Buddhism. Please be aware of the fact that I do not claim to be a Buddhist authority or a cult specialist, however everything I have

    a) learned about Buddhadharma

    and

    b) learned about New-Age groups and/or conspiracy theories

    points me to believe that this Maitreya issue you are referring to has abolutely no connection to traditional or even modern Zen Buddhism.

    Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry (which always has to be read with a critical eye) about the original Buddhist Maitreya.:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya

    Gassho,

    Hans
    Yeah, Read most of the Wikipedia article, thanks. Is it fair to say that these new age sects are at least in part confused about Maytreya's historical significance?

  7. #7

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by chicanobudista
    Quote Originally Posted by thirst_for_knowledge
    It seems as though there are as many praising the idea as there are who think it's some sort of out there conspiracy.
    Though what dose it really mean?
    is the point of Maitreya missed on these new sects that believe that we need a new ecumenical, unitarian religion?
    [..]

    Can you give some citations for some background info to your question as in who is "are as many praising the idea" and "these new sects"?
    Hey Erik, this may answer your question.
    http://www.maitreya.org/

    Gassho,
    Jess

  8. #8

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Quote Originally Posted by thirst_for_knowledge
    Hey Erik, this may answer your question.
    http://www.maitreya.org/
    Oh,...don't stop there. In a scant ten minutes of internet searching I found four more contenders for the title. I wonder if, like some Tibetan Lamas who sometimes reappear in two reincarnated beings at the same time, all these Maitreyas are doing the same thing. Somehow I think if you asked any one of them, they would tell you the others are fakes. Somehow I don't think real Maitreya Buddha will have to try to prove him(her)self so hard.

    Gassho,

    Seishin Kyrill

  9. #9

    Re: Can we discuss Maitriea

    Dear Jess,

    you write:

    "Yeah, Read most of the Wikipedia article, thanks. Is it fair to say that these new age sects are at least in part confused about Maytreya's historical significance?"

    Please keep in mind that I am just a novice in training and have much to learn. However, from my point of view, when e.g. theosophy and/or New Age inspired individuals are telling people they have found the true unity of religions and then begin to explain to others what the Buddha really meant, how Bodhisattvas are really to be seen etc., than that does not reflect the great variation of Buddhist traditions in most cases, but rather the spiritual patchwork of the people claiming to understand it all.

    Mostly these people have no real lineage other than the lineage of "they know best", mix ancient symbols superficially and cut many corners to come up with a nice pulpy substance that is easy to market and to swallow. It is a disgrace that the name of Maitreya is being used out of context, but what can you do....I'd rather have it this way than having an all-powerful Buddhist church trademark the name. The "brand" Maitreya was created over centuries through the hopes, prayers and the living parctice of millions of dedicated Buddhists. It's convenient to use such a noble legacy to further one's own agenda. Basically the name sounds cool, which is why people like to use it IMHO.

    Just my own limited two cents. Sorry if I come across as being a bit "robust" when it comes to these kind of issues, but I had to listen to so much nonsense in the last couple of decades coming from the NewAge corner (and not all that has come out of that corner is bad or superficial....just most of it), that it tickles my cow manure radar.


    Gassho,

    Hans


    P.S. Here's a really cool book that is a good fun read and will tell you most you'll ever have to know about hte origins of the modern New Age movement: http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Off-Your-Min ... 752&sr=8-1 (one reviewer says it was badky researched, which I think is an exaggeration...it's definitely a treasure chest filled with wonderful anecdotes)

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