Maitreya is one of the great bodhisattvas and is said to reside in the realm of Tushita, awaiting his time to be born as a human and become the Buddha of the Future. As such, He is a popular figure in all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and is venerated by monks as well as the laity. Maitreya is often depicted as a youth with a stupa as his attribute. Here he is crowned and bejeweled and holds a lotus that supports an ewer, another of his attributes.

Artwork Details

Title
Bodhisattva Maitreya
Dimensions
16 1/2 × 10 1/4 × 7 7/8 in.
Medium
Metal alloy
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
17th - 19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Ralph Redford
Object number
C2008.22
HAR Number
57005
Published references
* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 248-249

Begin your search...

Merit

Concepts

In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.

See more

Visualization

Concepts

A meditation technique primarily used in tantric practice that involves imagining a deity in one’s mind or imagining oneself becoming a deity and carrying out various activities. Such techniques are intended to help a practitioner transform ordinary perception and achieve enlightened qualities.

See more

Meditation

Concepts

A contemplative practice in which a person uses concentration and visualization to achieve aims such as transforming the mind and generating feelings of compassion. Techniques include focusing on breathing or visualizing oneself as a deity.

See more

Bodhisattvas

Figure Type

Beings who aspire to become fully awakened like the Buddha and are dedicated to helping others on the path to enlightenment.

See more

Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

See more
Close

Sign up for our newsletter

Your gateway to Himalayan art and its insights, with stories and news from the Rubin.

Discover artworks, articles, and more by typing a search term above, selecting a term below, or exploring common concepts in Himalayan art.