Mahayana Buddhism is one of three main branches of Buddhism. It was formed approximately around 100 B.C.E at the latest. Mahayana Buddhism is prominent in North Asia, including China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and parts of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The other two main branches of Buddhism are Theravada and VajrayΔna.
Hi everyone I had a question which is confusing me and would love to know your opinions.
So I was reading about the Dharma declining age and how it is split in 3 parts, the 1st part lasting 500-1000 years, the 2nd part 500-1000 years and the last part some either 2500-10,000 years depending on the source, now I read online from Theravada sources that the Maitreya will appear in 2500 yeras time from now which seems to soon especially is our lifespans will have to go to 10 years first then he will come when we live 80,000 years that isn't possible in 2500 years, but I was watching jiawen's video from the Pureland Buddhism youtube channel on Maitreya Buddha Pureland and she said he is in heaven and will appear in about 247 million years instead which makes more sense to me, I then went on Wikipedia and this confused me even more
"In all Buddhist traditions, Maitreya is prophesied to be the next Buddha who will arise in this world. He will attain Buddhahood far in the future (approximately 2000 years from now - 5000 years after Sakyamuni's Parinirvana)" which seems to suggest 2500 years as said by the Theravada and possibly some Mahayana but "According to traditional Buddhist sources Maitreya's advent is not imminent and instead will happen millions of years in the future" seems to suggest what Jiawen was saying it was gonna be millions of years from now.
So what is the answer because there is a big difference between 2500 years and 200 million years, the only logical answer I could think of is Maitreya in heaven will become a Buddha in 2500 years but won't appear on earth until Millions of years when his life in heaven naturally comes to an end.
Would love to know your opinions on this my fellow Buddhist Brothers & Sisters.
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if its in 2500 years, then the 80,000 year lifespan people experience is probably due to their perception of time slowing down as a result of entering some kind of digital reality.
like in 2500 years maybe the technology for putting people into digital realities is so good, that you can live there and while your body may only last 100 years (or maybe 1,000 etc if they are able to keep you cryogenically frozen or something), but your perception of time might be 80,000 years. I can see that level of technology being possible in 2500 years... maybe. lol
Maybe possibly yes, tbh my theory was hecomes a Buddha in 2500 years but won't come here till his life has finished in the heaven realm where he lives, tbh technology and health care has come a long way but the fact it is said our lifespan will go to 10 years first then will go 80,000 years when he arrives I can't see that in 2500 years myself
May I humbly offer the reflection/ practice: What if The Blessed Maitreya was/is Already Always Hereπππ?
Good point the Buddha Nature or dharmaKaya is always here with us and within us, Namo Amituofo πππ but no just was confused about the timing really, to me makes more sense it being millions of years over thousands etc