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The Illusion of New Buddha
Astonishingly enough, most Mahayana school hold the belief that Buddhism is
currently heading towards decline: a decline which will end in a complete
disintegration of its teachings in the future.
This self-destructive doctrine of Traditional Buddhism is contained within the belief in
“Maitreya” predicting both: the future decline of Buddhism and the coming of a “new
Buddha Maitreya”, who ‘practices Buddhism in heaven “waiting to be born on Earth
to start Buddhism anew” - according to the myth.
The origin of Maitreya myth:
Buddhism developed - as it is traditionally accepted – over three distinguished
periods of time, called: the Former, Middle and Latter Day of the Dharma. The Latter
Day of the Dharma refers to a time when Shakyamuni’s early and provisional
teachings would lose their power to help people, while - at the same time - his final
teaching (of the Lotus Sutra) would emerge and flourish all over the world. The
Buddha states in the Lotus Sutra : “In the fifth five hundred years after the Buddha’s
passing, accomplish world wide kosen rufu [spread of Buddhism] and never allow its
flow to cease.” L.S. Chapter 23
The Lotus Sutra predicted world wide propagation of its Dharma (the Mystic Law) in
the future, and the statement “never allow its flow to cease” does not contain any
implication of decline of its teachings. However, various Mahayana schools still
follow the Buddha’s transient teachings, expounded before the Lotus Sutra. In these
pre-Lotus teachings Shakyamuni had not yet revealed the Eternal Dharma. For this
reason, schools of Buddhism which do not understand the Lotus Sutra as the final
and complete teaching (in which Shakyamuni revealed the Eternal Dharma),
developed a myth of a new Buddha who would start Buddhism anew after the
decline of Shakyamuni’s Buddhism.
It is a pessimistic tendency for Traditional Buddhism to believe that their own
teachings are destined to ruin and disintegration in the future, acknowledging thus
that their teachings are incomplete.
But if Shakyamuni was a Buddha capable of declaring the teaching of the Eternal
Dharma, then there is no need for such an Eternal Dharma to suffer from future
decline or failure. The idea that a new Buddha (Maitreya) is necessary to declare a
“new Dharma” undermines the capacity, the compassion and the validity of the
teachings of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni.
The wrong doctrine of the “vanishing Dharma”
Buddhist doctrines and principles explain the true nature of reality. As such these
teachings are expressions of abiding laws which do not “vanish” in time. Nichiren
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quotes the Lotus Sutra :“All the characteristics of the world are eternal” WND1 p 423 .
For example, the Law of Impermanence, the Principle of Non-duality, the nature of
Void (non-substantiality), the truth of Dependant Origination, the Mutual Possession
of the Ten Worlds of existence, the inherent Buddha nature in all people…etc…
these principle are consistent and non-changing in time or space. They are final,
complete and offer no opportunity for dispute.
The Principles of Buddhism do not “decline”. For this reason, the assumed “new
Buddha” will not bring anything “new” to the teachings available now in the Lotus
Sutra, and as such the concept of New Buddha is redundant. The eternal Dharma of
the Lotus Sutra does not need “correction” or “renewal”: “If Nichiren’s compassion is
truly great and encompassing, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo will spread for ten thousand
years and more, for all eternity”. WND1 p 736
Maitreya myth is based on disbelief in the potential of humanity
The mythology of Maitreya (as the second in line Buddha) implies also that no one in
the history of humanity was able to become a Buddha equal to Shakyamuni, and no
one will – until “new” Buddha Maitreya descends from Heaven. This myth makes of
Shakyamuni Buddha a failed teacher who could not convey a teaching which would
raise others to his level of Buddhahood. Additionally, such beliefs in Traditional
Buddhism convey also a disbelief and doubt in the potentials of human beings. The
idea of a saviour descending from Heaven contains a sense of inferiority of ordinary
people to Buddhas and severely weakens the validity of Traditional Buddhism as a
successful humanistic religion.
Nichiren’s view on Maitreya
Nichiren viewed the meaning of Maitreya as “one of the protective forces” and a
function of “guarding and helping” the Bodhisattvas of the Earth:
“Moreover… all the bodhisattvas, Bodhisattva Maitreya … will guard and protect the
votaries of the Lotus Sutra, so one may indeed rest assured”. WND1 p1074
In many of his writing, Nichiren mentions the traditional Buddhist views on Maitreya
but clearly explains that the propagation of the Eternal Dharma of the Lotus Sutra
was entrusted by Shakyamuni to the “Earth Bodhisattvas”:
“ The Buddha did not entrust these five characters to Maitreya, Medicine King, or the
others of their group. Instead he summoned forth the bodhisattvas….from the great
earth of Tranquil Light and transferred the five characters to them ”.
WND1 p437
In view of Nichiren Buddhism, each person embodies the character of “the Maitreya”
because Maitreya is a metaphor for the function of compassion :“The name Maitreya
means ‘Compassionate One’ and designates the Votaries of the Lotus Sutra ” Orally
Transmitted Teachings page 143.
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Turning “New Buddha” into a commercial enterprise
Maitreya myth is turned into a commercial project involving a proposed 150 m high
statute to be built in Northern India. The cost of such a project will be paid by
ordinary people world wide. Donations are encouraged by the project managers:
Many Buddhist on the individual level, however, object to using Maitreya myth to
collect donations and – worse – to evict local farmers (Kushinagari) in Northern India
from the location where the huge statue is supposed to be erected:
Conclusion
The history of Buddhism abounds with legends and mythological beliefs, such as
Amida Buddha living in a different galaxy in the western universe, and Maitreya
bodhisattva learning Buddhahood in Heaven. These beliefs may have been used in
the past to inspire people to enlightenment. The final teachings of the Lotus Sutra
encompass all Buddhist metaphors and incorporate all Buddhist beliefs in a practice
most suited to modern times, overcoming pessimistic views about future destruction
of Buddhism, and offering people hope and empowerment.
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