Which reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
Contents13
- AAvalokiteshvara
- BLokesvara
- CMaityera
- DPadmapani
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Answer: (C) Maityera
Correct Answer: (c) Maitreya
In Buddhist belief, Maitreya is the future Buddha — the next great enlightened being who will come to Earth when the teachings of the current Buddha (Gautama Buddha) have been completely forgotten.
- Maitreya is a Bodhisattva (an enlightened being who delays entering Nirvana to help others).
- He is believed to currently reside in Tushita heaven, waiting for the right time to be born on Earth.
- When he comes, he will achieve complete enlightenment and teach the pure Dharma (Buddhist law) again.
Why the other options are wrong:
- Avalokiteshvara — The Bodhisattva of compassion (very important in Mahayana Buddhism), but NOT the future Buddha.
- Lokesvara — Another name for Avalokiteshvara ('Lord of the World').
- Padmapani — Also another name for Avalokiteshvara ('The Lotus-Bearer'). The famous Ajanta Cave painting shows Padmapani.
REMEMBER: Maitreya = FUTURE Buddha (yet to come).
Avalokiteshvara = Padmapani = Lokesvara = Bodhisattva of COMPASSION (all three names refer to the same being).
Don't confuse them!
Maitreya is the only future Buddha in Buddhist tradition, believed to be waiting in Tushita heaven to descend when Gautama Buddha's teachings are forgotten.
The other three options are all different names for Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion - this creates a deliberate trap since students often confuse various Bodhisattvas.
UPSC is testing whether students can distinguish between the future Buddha concept versus the various names of existing Bodhisattvas in Buddhist iconography.
Maitreya - The Future Buddha
Ancient And Medieval History Maityera future Buddha
Maitreya: The Future Buddha in Buddhist Belief
Maitreya is the future Buddha who will come to Earth when Gautama Buddha's teachings are forgotten
Currently resides in Tushita heaven waiting for the right time to be reborn
Will achieve enlightenment and restore the pure Dharma to the world
Maitreya represents the Buddhist belief in cyclical time and the restoration of spiritual knowledge. Unlike the current Buddha (Gautama), Maitreya exists as a Bodhisattva - an enlightened being who delays final liberation to help others.
Key Characteristics
Name meaning: 'Loving-kindness' or 'Friendliness' in Sanskrit
Current status: Bodhisattva residing in Tushita heaven
Future role: Will be born as human, achieve Buddhahood, and teach Dharma
Timing: Appears when Buddha's teachings completely disappear from Earth
Iconography: Often depicted with a stupa in his crown or holding a water pot
Connection to 2018 Question
The question tested knowledge of Maitreya as the future Buddha. The correct spelling in the option was 'Maityera' - a variant transliteration that students needed to recognize.
Avalokiteshvara and His Forms
Ancient And Medieval History Avalokiteshvara Lokesvara Padmapani
Avalokiteshvara: The Bodhisattva of Compassion
Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism
Has multiple names: Lokesvara (Lord of the World) and Padmapani (Lotus-Bearer)
Famous Padmapani painting exists in Ajanta Cave 1
Avalokiteshvara is one of the most important Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, embodying infinite compassion. He takes a vow to help all sentient beings achieve liberation before entering Nirvana himself.
Names and Meanings
Name | Meaning | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Avalokiteshvara | Lord who looks down with compassion | Primary name in Sanskrit texts |
Lokesvara | Lord of the World | Emphasizes universal compassion |
Padmapani | Lotus-Bearer | Refers to lotus symbolizing purity |
Artistic Representations
Ajanta Cave 1: Famous Padmapani painting showing elegant Bodhisattva figure
Iconography: Often holds lotus, shows compassionate expression
Multiple arms: Sometimes depicted with multiple arms representing omnipresence
Ellora caves: Various sculptures showing different aspects
Padmapani at Ajanta
Source: Britannica — Bodhisattva Padmapani | History, Description, & Facts ... · www.britannica.com
Bodhisattva Concept in Buddhism
Ancient And Medieval History
Bodhisattva: The Compassionate Ideal in Mahayana Buddhism
Bodhisattva means 'enlightened being' who delays Nirvana to help others
Central concept in Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing universal salvation
Takes Bodhisattva vow to save all sentient beings first
The Bodhisattva ideal represents the Mahayana Buddhist path of compassion. Unlike the Theravada ideal of individual liberation (Arhat), Bodhisattvas postpone their final enlightenment to help all beings achieve salvation.
Path to Buddhahood
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Initial Awakening**
Develops **Bodhicitta** (compassionate mind)`"]
s2["`**Bodhisattva Vow**
Commits to saving all sentient beings`"]
s3["`**Ten Stages (Bhumis)**
Progresses through spiritual development levels`"]
s4["`**Final Buddhahood**
Achieves complete enlightenment after helping others`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Theravada vs Mahayana Ideals
Aspect | Theravada (Arhat) | Mahayana (Bodhisattva) |
|---|---|---|
Goal | Individual liberation | Universal salvation |
Approach | Self-enlightenment first | Help others first |
Timeline | Current lifetime | Multiple lifetimes |
Compassion | Important quality | Supreme virtue |
Buddhist Time Cycles and Buddha Succession
Ancient And Medieval History save the world
Buddhist Cosmology: Time Cycles and Buddha Appearances
Buddhism believes in cyclical time with multiple Buddhas appearing across ages
Dharma decline: Buddha's teachings gradually disappear requiring renewal
Gautama Buddha is the current Buddha of this age
Buddhist cosmology envisions time as cyclical rather than linear. Each kalpa (cosmic age) sees the appearance of multiple Buddhas who restore the Dharma when spiritual knowledge declines in the world.
Dharma Cycle
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Buddha Appears**
Achieves enlightenment and teaches pure Dharma`"]
s2["`**Dharma Flourishes**
Teachings spread, monasteries established`"]
s3["`**Gradual Decline**
Teachings become corrupted or forgotten`"]
s4["`**Complete Disappearance**
True Dharma vanishes from the world`"]
s5["`**Future Buddha Comes**
Next Buddha (Maitreya) appears to restore Dharma`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Past and Future Buddhas
Past Buddhas: Dipankara, Kashyapa and others preceded Gautama
Current Buddha: Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) of our present age
Future Buddha: Maitreya will appear when Dharma completely disappears
Cosmic scale: Each Buddha-cycle spans thousands of years