A Prophecy of Buddha about the Coming
Maitreya
Text: As his last word before he died Siddharta Buddha told
his closest disciple, Ananda: "I am not the first Buddha who came upon
earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the
world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct,
auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of
angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have
taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in origin, glorious at the
climax, and glorious at the goal, in the spirit and in the letter. He will
proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure; such as I now proclaim....
He will be known as Metteyya, which means "he whose name is
kindness". (Paul Carus compiler, The
Teachings of Buddha revised and abridged ed., London: Rider - Elbury Press,
Random House 1915, p. 127).
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Prophecy text |
Reference in
the Holy Scriptures of the Bible |
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1.
Not the first Buddha |
The
prophet Moses wrote: "Then Melchizedek king of Then Balaam uttered his oracle: "The oracle of
Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, 16 the oracle
of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who
sees a vision from the almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are
opened: 17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star
will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of About Epimenides the Apostle Paul said:
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship,
I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you
worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 28 For in him we
live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We
are his offspring. " (Acts
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2.
Another Buddha |
For
it is declared about Christ: "You are a priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek. 24 Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him,
because he always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews The prophet Moses wrote: "The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. 15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die." 17 The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account." (Deuteronomy 18:14-19). The Apostle John wrote: "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'" (John 1:45). |
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3.
A Holy One |
The
prophet Isaiah wrote: "Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD;
The needy will rejoice in the Holy One of The
angel said to Maria, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be
called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35). Simon
Peter said about Jesus: "We believe and know that you are the Holy One
of God." (John 6:68). King
David prophesized about Christ: "You will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay." (Acts |
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4.
Supremely enlightened |
The
prophet Isaiah wrote about Christ: "The people walking in darkness have
seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a
light has dawn." (Isaiah 9:2). The
Apostle John wrote: "There came a man who was sent from God; his name
was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that
through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came
only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every
man was coming into the world." (John 1:6-9). Nathanael
asked Jesus: "How do you know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you
while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." (John
1:48). Jesus
would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need
man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. (John 2:24-25). When
Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life." (John 8:12). Jesus
said: "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in me should stay in darkness." (John 12:46). For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was
without sin. Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless,
pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews |
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5.
Endowed with wisdom |
And
the child Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the
grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40). Coming
to his hometown, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they
were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous
powers?" they asked. (Matthew 13:54). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "But to those whom God has called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1
Corinthians 1:24). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart
and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete
understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely,
Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
(Colossians 2:2-3). |
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6.
Auspicious |
Jesus
went throughout Jesus
said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in
me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). The
prophet Isaiah wrote about the |
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7.
Knowing the universe |
The
Apostle John wrote: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through
him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made." (John 1:1-3). Jesus
said to Nathanael, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the
fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." 51 He then added,
"I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1:50-51). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "For by Christ all things were created: things in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is
before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians
1:16-17). |
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8.
Incomparable leader |
Isaiah
prophesized: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase
of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's
throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and
righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish." (Isaiah 9:6-7). The
men were amazed about Jesus and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even
the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27). Jesus
said: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep." (John 10:11). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "And Christ is the head of the body, the church; he
is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything
he might have the supremacy." (Colossians 1:18). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "I charge you to keep this command without spot or
blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring
about in his own time-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and
Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable
light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever.
Amen." (1. Timothy 6:13-16). The
Apostle John wrote: "The evil one will make war against the Lamb, but
the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and
with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (Revelation
17:14). |
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9.
Master of angels and mortals |
Jesus
said to the Devil, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the
Lord your God, and serve him only.'" 11Then the devil left him, and
angels came and attended him. (Matt 4:10-11) Jesus
said to Pilate: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at
once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "In the heavenly realms, far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in
the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things
under the feet of Christ and appointed him to be head over everything for the
church." (Ephesians 1:20-22). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:10). So
Christ became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is
superior to theirs. (Hebrews 1:4). The
Apostle Peter wrote: "Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at
God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to
him." (1. Peter 3:21-22). The
Apostle John prophesized: "Then I looked and heard the voice of many
angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten
thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and
on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne
and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'
14 The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and
worshiped." (Revelation 5:11-14). |
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10.
Same eternal truths |
Jesus
said: "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the
smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear
from the Law until everything is accomplished." (Matthew 5:18). Jesus
said: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the
continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has
fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery,"
"Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not
covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in
this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor.
Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10). |
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11.
Religion glorious in origin, climax and goal |
The creation of the world, the
revelation of Jesus Christ and the coming of the |
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12.
In spirit and letter |
The
Apostle Paul wrote: "All Scripture, which is God-breathed, is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2.
Timothy 3:16). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of
Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy
never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2. Peter 1:20-21). Jesus
said: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I
have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63). The
Apostle John wrote: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these
are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31). |
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13.
Proclaim a perfect and pure religious life |
Jesus
said: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5:48). The
Apostle Paul wrote: ", I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your
spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such
things." (Philippians 4:8). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone
with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28). Endure
hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not
disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone
undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected
them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and
live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained
by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11). If
anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his
tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that
God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the
world. (James 1:26-27). The
Apostle Peter wrote: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy
in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
(1. Peter 1:15-16). The
Apostle John wrote: "But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be
like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him
purifies himself, just as he is pure." (1 John 3:2b-3). |
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14.
Kindness or friendliness |
God: Then
the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his
name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The
LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding
in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving
wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34:5-7a). The
prophet Jeremiah wrote: "But let him who boasts boast about this: that
he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares
the LORD." (Jeremiah 9:24). Jesus
said: "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without
expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:35-36). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming
ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his
kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7). Christ: Jesus
said to his disciples: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay
down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I
command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know
his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything
that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John
15:13-15). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the
two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by
abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His
purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making
peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the
cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached
peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For
through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." (Ephesians
2:14-18). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell
in Christ, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed
on the cross." (Colossians 1:19-20). The
Apostle Paul wrote: "But when the kindness and love of Christ our Savior
appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but
because of his mercy." (Titus 3:4-5a). |