About 2500 years ago, Gautama Buddha said about the coming of Buddha Maitreya in the future. His disciples showing great interest asked Gautama Buddha to talk more about him. Gautama Buddha Then began to speak about Maitreya and his immeasurable abilities, that Maitreya would be born into the world of highest morals and deepest piety.
Since then, the discourse of Maitreya as the savior at the end of time has become a doctrine in the Buddhist tradition over time.
The misery that has always encompassed human life in every nation from time to time has inspired the presence of the word "The Savior" as a great expression, based on the belief and hope that the presence of the savior will be able to eliminate oppression or anything that causes misery in life.
In ancient Israel, the savior was called “ Masiah ,” a Hebrew word meaning “anointed one,” this is the origin of the word “ Messianism ,” which modern thinkers define as a type of thought and movement that believes that a savior will come at the end of this world – eliminating oppressors and create an ideal society.
This savior concept was also applied to Jesus Christ by the early Greek-speaking Christians. The word “ Christ ” comes from the Greek word “ Christos ”, which means “ anointed ”.
Christos is a translation of the Hebrew word “ Masiah ” ( Mashiyach ), generally spelled in English messiah, which also means “ anointed ”.
Shigeru Kamada, Professor of Islamic Studies from the University of Tokyo in his article " Mahdi and Maitreya (Miroku): Saviors in Islam and Buddhism" said:
In fact, Messianism means the type of thought and movement that developed within the framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition, but in a broader sense, this concept can be interpreted to include the eschatological traditions of various other religions that hope for the coming of the savior. Mahdism was one such thought that emerged in the Islamic context, and it provided the doctrinal basis for social reforms designed to free oppressed people from their suffering.
In Islamic tradition, it is believed that Imam Mahdi will come to this world as a savior at the end of time. The word Mahdi comes from Arabic which means " rightly guided ", or " one who receives guidance ".
There is no direct reference to Imam Mahdi in the Quran. The discussion about it comes from several hadiths.
Thus, today, we find the fact that modern world thinking tends to assimilate the Maitreya tradition with the Messiah, or Imam Mahdi.
It can be said that as a generation living in modern times, at least these are the names that we have inherited as memories from the past about the presence of holy figures who succeeded the previous prophets who will start a completely new era in the future.
However, regarding modern thought which discourses on the same figure as a savior at the end of time, it is important to consider that in most Islamic traditions, it is believed that at the end of time the Imam Mahdi and the Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) will appear to defeat Al-Masih ad-Dajjal ( “false Messiah”, or Antichrist ).
So, because we previously knew the Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) as a "Savior Figure" (referred to as "Christos" or "Masiah"), we are left with the option of equating Maitreya with Imam Mahdi, which still seems to be relevant.
Throughout history, the figure of the savior of the end times has repeatedly received claims from various parties. As Empress Wu Zetian claims to be Maitreya.
Meanwhile, those who claim to be Imam Mahdi are Muhammad Jaunpuri (founder of the Mahdavia sect), Ali Muhammad, better known as Bab (founder of Babism), Muhammad Ahmad (who founded the Mahdi State in Sudan at the end of the 19th century), Mirza Ghulam Ahmad ( founder of the Ahmadiyya), and Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (founder of the spiritual movement RAGS International (now known as Messiah Foundation International).
About Maitreya
The definition of “Buddha” in Sanskrit is “enlightened one”. So, those who are called “buddhas” are those who are “awakened”, “realized”, or have achieved true enlightenment.
In the Buddhist tradition itself, Siddharta Gautama is not considered the first or last Buddha.
It is at least implicit in some early canonical scriptures the idea that another Buddha will appear in the future.
One of the most prominent future Buddhas in the story is Bodhisattva Maitreya.
Over the course of 2,500 years, along with the history of the development of Buddhism in South, Southeast and East Asia, the core themes of Maitreya's role as the future Buddha continue to be expressed and modulated.
In every Buddhist culture, Maitreya is a symbol of hope, of human aspirations for a better life in the future, a time when the glory and gold of the past will be regained.
In short, Maitreya is said to play his role as the guarantor of a better future. He will appear as an eschatological cosmic savior who, at the end of the empirical world order, will bring about universal justice and peace.
Reading Time:
In the book " Maitreya, the Future Buddha " Alan Sponberg describes the figure of Maitreya as follows:
We find him sometimes depicted as a bodhisattva diligently cultivating the path to enlightenment on earth and later as a resplendent heavenly bodhisattva in his abode in the Tusita heaven.
Sometimes he appears like any other worldly individual whose aim is to serve and contemplate, at other times he appears as a militant leader of political extremists who seeks to build a new order in the present.
We sometimes see him as a recipient of confessions (giving counseling/advice) and sometimes as an inspiration for scholars.
Perhaps no other figure in the Buddhist pantheon combines universality and adaptability in the way that Maitreya does.
In Buddhist traditions, Maitreya is usually depicted seated, with both feet on the ground or crossed at the ankles, awaiting his time. Wearing a small stupa on his headdress, and a khata scarf always tied around his waist as a girdle, became his trademark.
Maitreya Statue (source: metmuseum.org)
About Imam Mahdi
Who is the real figure of Imam Mahdi?
Al Mahdi, (Arabic: "the guided one") in Islamic eschatology, is believed to be a savior figure at the end of time who will be present to fill the earth with justice, restore the true religion and usher the world into a golden age. That period was short, about seven, nine or eleven years before the end of the world .
Where will Imam Mahdi appear?
Islamic literature generally states that Imam Mahdi will appear from the east, as stated in the history of Ibn Majah. In the hadith of the prophet, Imam Mahdi is said to have appeared in 'Khorāsān' which in Persian means "the place from which the sun rises" or "Eastern Region".
The appearance of Imam Mahdi from the east seems identical to Nostradamus' prophecy about the "Man from the East" which has been discussed specifically in this article: Nostradamus' Prophecy About the "Man from the East"
What will happen if Imam Mahdi appears?
Referring to information from many hadiths and other eschatological texts about a savior figure at the end of time, when Al Mahdi appears, he will fight tyrannical and corrupt rulers and arbitrarily oppress the weak. During the reign (caliphate) of Imam Mahdi, the world will be filled with justice and prosperity. It could be said that this is the mission of Imam Mahdi's presence in the world.
What are the signs of the coming of Imam Mahdi?
The main signs of the presence of Imam Mahdi are times when the world is filled with injustice caused by despotic rulers and the destruction of ideal norms of life. At that time, people will compete to chase wealth. Humans will seek knowledge from misguided scholars. Liars will be trusted and triumph while honest people will be marginalized. Many people who used to be believers unknowingly took part in the game of this corrupt world.
I have outlined many discussions about Imam Mahdi in the following articles:
The Black Banner as a Metaphor and Marker of the Appearance of al Mahdi
UAE President 'Khalifa' Dies: Is This a Sign of the Appearance of Imam Mahdi Mentioned in Hadith?
Fulfillment Conditions for the Appearance of Al Mahdi
Measuring Imam Mahdi's Readiness to Enter the Stage of the End Times
The Connection Between "Nur Muhammad" and Imam Mahdi
Another side of Imam Mahdi that has not been revealed so far
Prabu Siliwangi's message about free-range slaves (Al Mahdi)
Imam Mahdi Will Become a "Superhero" Figure in the Real World
Nostradamus' Prophecy About the "Man from the East"
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Several hadiths about Imam Mahdi which Islamic thinkers consider strong and can be used as references are as follows:
- Al-Mahdi comes from my people, who will be confirmed by Allah in one night. (HR. Ahmad and Ibnu Majah)
- If only a day remained in the world, Allah would lengthen the day so that he would send a man from the members of my temple whose name was the same as mine and his father's name was the same as my father's name (Muhammad bin Abdullah). He will fill the earth with honesty and justice as it was previously filled with injustice and persecution.” (HR. Abu Dawud)
- The Messenger of Allah said, "Indeed, this earth will be filled with injustice and injustice, and when injustice and injustice are full, then Allah will send a man from my Ummah, his name will be like my name, and his father's name will be like my father (Muhammad bin Abdullah). Then he will fill the earth with justice and prosperity, as it (the earth) was filled before with injustice and injustice. At that time the sky will not withhold a single drop of its water, and the earth will not withhold even a single drop of its plants. Then he will live with you for 7 years, or 8 years, or 9 years. (HR. Thabrani)
- Aisyah said, “One day the body of the Messenger of Allah shook in his sleep. Then we asked, 'Why are you doing something that you have never done, O Messenger of Allah?' Rasulullah SAW answered, 'A strange thing will happen, namely that a group of people from my Ummah will go to Baitullah (Ka'bah) to hunt down a Quraish man who has fled to the Kaaba. So that when these people reached the desert, they were swallowed up by the earth.' Then we asked, 'Aren't there all kinds of people on the desert road?' He answered, 'It is true, among those who were swallowed by the earth there were those who deliberately went to war, and there were also those who were forced to fight, and there were also people who were on a journey, but they perished at the same time and in the same place. . Meanwhile, they come from different directions (intentions). Then Allah will raise them up on the Day of Resurrection, according to their respective intentions." (HR. Bukhary, Muslim)
- There would be a dispute after the death of a leader, so a man came out from the people of Medina seeking refuge in Mecca, then came to this man several people from the people of Mecca, then they forcibly pledged allegiance to Imam Mahdi, so he was sworn in between the Rukun and Maqam Ibrahim (in front of the Kaaba). "Then a squad of people from the people of Syria was sent, so they were immersed in an area called Al-Baida which is between Mecca and Medina." (HR. Abu Dawud)
About the arrival of Isa Al Messiah at the end of time
In the Islamic tradition, the source of opinion regarding the arrival of Isa Al Messiah at the end of time, comes from the interpretation of the Koran in Verse 4 of Surah An-Nisa which reads: There is no one among the People of the Book who does not believe in him (Isa) before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he (Isa) will be their witness. (Qs 4:159).
Also in the letter Az Zukhruf verse 61: And indeed, he (Isa) is truly a sign of the coming of the Day of Judgment. Therefore, do not be in doubt about that (Doomsday) and follow Me. This is the straight path.
Apart from Islamic sources, the coming of Isa Al Messiah is also hinted at in the Bible: " At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will wail and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with all His power and glory ” (Gospel, Great Apostle Matthew 24:30). The "son of man" mentioned in this verse is considered by various groups to be Jesus Christ who will come accompanied by angels.
Regarding the signs of the end times, as the time when "the Savior" is present, almost all religious traditions have records about this.
However, in general, all these signs can be categorized into five main things, namely: (1) natural disasters, (2) outbreaks of disease, (3) strange phenomena, (4) war, riots, socio-political disturbances, and (5) ) increasing human behavioral errors.
Apart from all the things that have been described above, I think it is interesting to imagine how the strategy of "The Savior" will play its role on the stage of the end times.
Because we know, there are times when reality is not as simple as previously narrated or described.
This understanding will at least make us more realistic in considering all matters related to discussing the theme of eschatology, and in turn can make us or future generations better prepared to face the dynamics of the end times.
That's all. Hope it is useful. Regards.
Read the related article: Prophecies About the Characteristics of the Savior of the End Times