What might an ideal world look like—one without poverty, violence, or fear? This article explores a Buddhist cosmological account of the future age of Maitreya and asks what collective actions are associated with that vision. The descriptions below belong to Buddhist tradition and religious belief; they are not empirical forecasts or claims that a future society is guaranteed.
An ideal world without suffering
In the Buddhist account presented here, an ideal world is described as peaceful, prosperous, and free from suffering. The sections below summarize how that tradition imagines such a world.
A flourishing environment
In the age of Maitreya, the natural environment is described as abundant and supportive of human life, with clean air and plentiful resources.
A society without poverty
The account describes poverty as having disappeared, with people having what they need and sharing in a good quality of life.
No crime
People are portrayed as living with compassion, kindness, and care for one another, so that they do not harm each other and crime has ended.
Relationships with animals
Humans and animals are described as living together peacefully, without hostility or harm between them.
Good health
The account describes people as healthy, long-lived, and free from illness.
Seven characteristics of the rain
The rain is said to fall in season and to have seven qualities: it falls evenly, reaches everywhere, continues without interruption, falls where needed, tastes good, causes no harm, and washes away impurities. These are features of the religious account.
Who is Maitreya?
The name Maitreya appears in Buddhist tradition and in accounts of a future Buddha. The following sections summarize the religious context described in the source.
References in Buddhist scriptures
Accounts of Maitreya appear in Buddhist texts, including the Cakkavatti Sutta, which presents a prophecy about the future of the world.
Maitreya’s status
In the tradition described here, Maitreya is not yet a Buddha but is regarded as a bodhisattva who has cultivated virtues over a long period and is expected to attain Buddhahood in the future.
The meaning of the name
“Maitreya” is associated with metta, or loving-kindness, goodwill, and friendship. The name expresses the qualities associated with the future age in this tradition.
The cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology
The arrival of Maitreya is placed within a cosmic cycle called a kappa, an exceptionally long period of time.
One great eon
A great eon, or mahākappa, is described as an immense period made up of four stages known as immeasurable eons.
The period of cosmic contraction
This stage is described as a period in which the world is destroyed or contracts.
The period of contraction’s continuation
This stage describes the interval before the world begins to form again.
The period of cosmic expansion
During this stage, the world is described as forming and living beings beginning to appear.
The period of expansion’s continuation
This stage is described as a period in which living beings develop and Buddhas may arise.
The length of an immeasurable eon
An immeasurable eon is presented as a period so long that it cannot be calculated in ordinary terms.
The age of moral decline: a low point for humanity
Before the age of Maitreya, the source describes an age of moral decline called migasanni. This is part of a religious narrative, not a dated prediction about current society.
The decline of religion
Religion is described as fading from people’s minds, with the Buddha’s teachings gradually being forgotten.
The decline of morality
The account describes morality weakening, people becoming more self-interested, and compassion diminishing.
Shorter lifespans
Human lifespans are said to become progressively shorter during this period.
The meaning of “migasanni”
The term is explained as referring to wrong views, misunderstanding, or delusion.
The loss of humanity
People are portrayed as behaving like animals and losing mindfulness and self-awareness.
A society in collapse
The account describes a disordered society marked by conflict and killing.
Renewal: humanity begins again
After this period of decline, the narrative describes humanity returning to good conduct.
Those who survive
A group of people is said to preserve moral conduct and good qualities through the period of decline.
Re-establishing moral conduct
The survivors are described as rebuilding ethical standards together.
Sharing
People begin to help and support one another.
Building a virtuous civilization
The account describes a society rebuilt on morality, virtue, and compassion.
The age of Maitreya: an ideal world
In this tradition, the world is said to become prosperous and peaceful again during Maitreya’s age.
The environment
The environment is described as abundant and free from pollution.
Society
Society is portrayed as peaceful, with people living together happily.
The wish-fulfilling tree
A wish-fulfilling tree, said to provide what people need, appears in the account.
The end of poverty
Poverty is described as having disappeared.
The end of crime
The account portrays people as no longer harming one another, with crime absent.
Health
People are described as healthy and long-lived.
Seven characteristics of the rain
The rain is again described as falling in season and having seven special characteristics, as set out in the tradition.
The arrival of Maitreya
The future Buddha’s arrival is described as a turning point in the religious narrative.
Birth
Maitreya is said to be born into a distinguished family.
Renunciation
The account says he leaves worldly life to seek the end of suffering.
Enlightenment
He is said to attain awakening as a fully enlightened Buddha.
The teachings
He teaches the Dhamma as a path for people to be free from suffering.
A path toward Maitreya’s age: collective action
The source presents the hoped-for age as connected to the collective actions of humanity rather than fate alone. This is a religious and ethical teaching.
Moral precepts
Keeping ethical precepts is presented as a foundation for cultivating good conduct.
Giving
Giving is described as a way to cultivate generosity and merit.
Meditation and mental development
Meditation and mindfulness are presented as ways to develop the mind.
Loving-kindness and helping others
Compassion and helping others are described as central qualities.
Ways to practice in the present
Although the future age has not arrived, the source suggests practices that believers may undertake now.
Listening to the Vessantara Jataka
Listening to the Great Birth Sermon is described as a way to cultivate spiritual merit.
Practicing the ten bases of meritorious action
The ten bases of meritorious action are presented as ways of cultivating wholesome conduct.
Making an aspiration
The source describes setting an intention to be born in the age of Maitreya as a devotional aspiration.
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