Maitreya Bodhisattva
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Maitreya Bodhisattva
is also known as the Bodhisattva of the Compassionate Clan. His other
name is Ajita, which means "invincible." Maitreya means "compassionate
clan." Limitless kalpas ago, this Bodhisattva left the home-life
under the Buddha named Light of Sun, Moon, and Lamp. He left the home-life,
but was always looking for opportunities to exploit situations. He often
visited the homes of wealthy Dharma-protectors to socialize and get on
good terms with them. Although he should have Therefore, we should
realize that no matter who we are, we must cultivate seriously and honestly.
If we are the slightest bit untrue in our cultivation, our future will
be ruined. Since Maitreya Bodhisattva paid attention to externals and
failed to cultivate, since he neglected inner sageliness and just wanted
to socialize with people, he delayed his own Buddhahood. Later, however,
he cultivated the samadhi (concentration) of mind and consciousness only.
He contemplated the emptiness of all dharmas. He said, When he had attained considerable skill in the samadhi of mind and consciousness only, he received a prediction from a Buddha that he would be the next Buddha, the honored Maitreya Buddha. In the tenth small kalpa of the Worthy Kalpa, during the decreasing kalpa when the average human life span decreases to 84,000 years, he will be born into this world, where he will attain Buddhahood. He will expound the Dharma for only one day and night in the threefold Dragon Flower Dharma Assembly, saving all the beings he is supposed to save. He will be the fifth Buddha and teaching host of Buddhism in the Saha world. This Bodhisattva often roams playfully in the world. During the Latter Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties Period, he manifested as the Venerable Budai (the "cloth sack" monk), who said, "Setting down the cloth sack, how carefree one is!" This Bodhisattva often wanders in the world having fun, constantly full of joy. He doesn't ever get vexed, no matter how people might mistreat him. He's always laughing in his jovial manner. There's a matched couplet about Maitreya Bodhisattva that says: His big belly
can contain all the unbearable things under heaven. His belly is so vast that it can take all the things in the world that are hard to endure. Whenever he opens his mouth, he laughs at the comical people of the world. Because he often attains the samadhi of joy in his practice of patience, he is in a constant state of happiness. There is another verse that describes him well. The old fool wears
a tattered robe, And fills his belly with plain food. He mends the rags
to keep his body warm,And lets the myriad affairs just take their course.
Should someone scold the Old Fool, The Old Fool just says, "Fine." This kind of paramita
Is the jewel in the wonderful. Now that you know this news, How can you
worry about not attaining the Way. The "old fool" refers to
a stupid old man. He wears "tattered robes" that have been patched
over and over again. The food he eats is bland and tasteless, unseasoned
by oil or salt. But it's enough for him, because it makes him full. He
mends the holes in his clothes so that they keep out the chill. No matter
what happens, he accords with the conditions. As the saying goes, "Let
old karma run its course, and take care not to create new offenses."
He lets things take their natural course. If someone should
scold the old fool, he says, "Right, you're absolutely right! Please
scold me some more." Ordinary people can't take a scolding, but he
just encourages people to scold him. His attitude is, "The more you
scold, the better." Their rebukes are music to his ears. He thinks
they are singing songs for him, so he says, "Ah! How wonderful!"
If someone strikes him, he lies down and goes to sleep, letting them beat him as they please. He doesn't lose his temper. If someone spits on his face, he simply lets it dry by itself, without bothering to wipe it off. Since he doesn't fight back, the other person cools off, too. This kind of paramita--method for reaching the other shore--is a treasure among wonders. Once you know this news, how can you fail to attain the Way? A verse in praise
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