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Lord Maitreya: Difference between revisions
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Buddhist scholar Kenneth Ch’en writes of this portrayal of Maitreya: | Buddhist scholar Kenneth Ch’en writes of this portrayal of Maitreya: | ||
<blockquote>One feature of his appearance singled him out—he carried a hemp bag wherever he went. Into this bag was deposited whatever he received, and for this reason, the bag became an object of intense curiosity, especially among the children. They would chase him and climb all over him, and force him to open his bag. On such an occasion he would place the bag on the ground, empty the contents one by one, and just as methodically put them back into the bag. The expressions attributed to him were all enigmatic and exhibit [Zen] characteristics.... Once a monk asked him about his bag; he replied by placing it on the ground. When asked what this meant, he shouldered the bag and went away. Once he was asked how old the bag was, and he replied that it was as old as space.<ref>Kenneth K. S. Ch’en, ''Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey'' (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1964), pp. 405–6.</ref></blockquote> | |||
This bag demonstrates the mystery of space and the miracle of space under the dominion of the Buddha. Its timelessness shows the Buddha’s mastery of segments of eternity, hence eternity itself, through the flame of Mother. | This bag demonstrates the mystery of space and the miracle of space under the dominion of the Buddha. Its timelessness shows the Buddha’s mastery of segments of eternity, hence eternity itself, through the flame of Mother. | ||