Maitreya Buddha

Brandon: You told me last time that Jeung- san Sangjenim is the God the Father who came to this world Himself, right? Is this story of God’s coming to the world only spoken in the Bible?

I: Actually, you can find the same story in other major religions like Buddhism and Confucianism as well. They just used different words and descriptions.

Brandon: Now, you’re going too far, pal. I’ve never heard that Buddhists believe in God. Besides, I only found statues of Buddha in Buddhist temples.

I: Hmm... Have you seen the standing Buddha statues?

Brandon: No, the ones I’ve seen were all sitting down.

I: That’s the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. He’s the man who started Buddhism. But the standing Buddha is Maitreya Buddha.

Brandon: Why is He standing when all the other statues are sitting down and meditating?

I: His Holiness the Jongdosanim said that Maitreya statues have been built in a standing posture because He is busy visiting all parts of the world while teaching and delivering myriads of people.

Brand: Okay. I’ll admit that I didn’t know about Him. But this is not related to the question I asked you.

I: It is related because He’s the God the Father in Christianity. There’s a Buddhist scripture called the Maitreya Sutra that mentions about the Maitreya Buddha who is destined to come to this world to save all people in the future. He’s the one who will open a new world of paradise where no one suffers from agonies or diseases.

Brandon: Maitreya Buddha? Is He different than the original one? I thought there was only one Buddha.

I: You’re wrong again, but it’s not your fault. There are a lot of people who don’t know about the Maitreya Buddha or the information they have about Him is limited and incorrect. The Buddha that we know told his disciples in the Maitreya Sutra that “The Lord of Tushita Heaven is the Maitreya Buddha. Have faith in Him and follow His teachings.”

Brandon: Really?

I: And in another sutra, it’s written, “When the last stage of dharma arrives, the sun and moon will lose their light and terrible diseases will spread. That’s when Maitreya Buddha will be incarnated into the human world.”

Brandon: Is that true? But this is too similar to what they teach you in church.

I: Right? But Buddhism is not the only one saying this. Confucius scholars like Zhu Xi proclaimed that, there is a ruler who takes charge of governing the universe according to the principles of change. In Confucianism, He is known as the Jade Emperor or Sangjenim.

Brandon: Ah, ha! This is why you said they’re all talking about the same thing with different words. So you’re saying God the Father, Maitreya Buddha, and Sangjenim in Confucianism are just different names of the same being?

I: Well, what do you think? You think they are all different?

Brandon: Hmm... They’re talking about the same thing. You know, I’ve always thought all the religions must have had something in common even if they are different religions. So I suppose my answer is that they’re the same.

I: Oh~ Impressive. You’re right. It’s just that each religion had a different name for that one being. What’s more surprising is that they've all said He would come to this world.

Brandon: Then, when is He coming?

I: Hey, don’t you remember that I told you He had already come? He incarnated into this world as a human to save us during this time of exchange between Cosmic Summer and Cosmic Autumn. He is Jeung-san Sangjenim.

Sangjenim Sent Confucius, Shakyamuni, and Jesus to the World

“Those who believe in Jesus await the second coming of Jesus, those who believe in Buddha await the coming of Maitreya Buddha,
and those who believe in Eastern Learning
await the rebirth of Choe Su-un.
But whoever this person proves to be,
when that one person comes, all will proclaim him
their master and follow him. They say ‘Jesus will come again,’ but these words actually signify My arrival.
It is I who sent Confucius, Shakyamuni, and Jesus
to the world, to serve in My work.”
-English Dojeon 2:36-

상제님 Sangjenim
성부 하느님 God the Father
우주의 주재자 the Ruler of the Universe
강세(인간으로 오심) incarnation
선천 종교들 religions in the Early Heaven
성인 sage
불교 경전 Buddhist Scripture
미륵불 Maitreya Buddha
미륵경 the Maitreya Sutra