Maitreya is a bodhisattva, a being who has postponed their own enlightenment in order to help others achieve it, in the Buddhist tradition. According to some beliefs, Maitreya will be the next Buddha to appear on earth, following the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The belief in Maitreya as a future Buddha is found in some schools of Buddhism, including Mahayana Buddhism.
The exact timing of Maitreya’s appearance is not specified in Buddhist scriptures and is considered to be unknown. Some traditional texts suggest that Maitreya will appear when the teachings of the current Buddha have been forgotten, and when the world is in a state of decline.
It is important to note that beliefs about Maitreya, like many aspects of religion, are subject to interpretation and may vary among different individuals and communities. Ultimately, whether and when Maitreya will appear is a matter of faith and belief.
