The human Buddhas anterior to him also receive recognition together with Maitreya.

Another name by which he is sometimes called is Maitreya, meaning Lord of Light.

Maitreya is therefore the expected Messiah of the Buddhists, residing at present in Tushita.]

Then call me Kalkin, or Siddhartha, or Tathagatha, or Mahasamatman, or Binder, or Buddha, or Maitreya.

Bless thee, O Maitreya, let mansions be thine!

Thou art possessed of youth, O Maitreya!

Fifty-six thousand and seventy years shall pass before the Bodhisattva that is Maitreya shall attain unto the Perfected Wisdom.

Seeing Krishna laugh, Maitreya addressed him, saying, 'Tell me, O righteous-souled one, what the reason is of thy laughter!

"'"Maitreya said, 'O thou of great wisdom, without doubt it is as thou hast said.

The great Rishi Maitreya also, O scorcher of foes, had formerly cursed Duryodhana, saying, 'Bhima will, with his mace, break thy thighs!'

Seeing Vyasa arrive, that foremost of Rishis, viz., Maitreya, gave him a seat and after worshipping him with due rites, fed him with excellent food.

"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is cited the old narrative of the conversation between Maitreya and the Island-born Krishna.

"'Bhishma said, "Thus addressed, the holy one replied unto Maitreya, saying 'by good luck, thou art endued with knowledge.

(I Googled him, by the way-theMaitreya Buddha, I mean-andI have to report a serious schism in the Mahayana cosmology here.

"'"Vyasa said, 'Whatever thou wishest to say, O Maitreya, do thou say, O man of great wisdom, for I wish to hear thee.'