A Maitreya Buddha thangka is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist painting that portrays Maitreya, the Buddha who is destined to come in the future when the teachings of the current Buddha, Shakyamuni, have waned. Maitreya represents the hope for future enlightenment and embodies qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, and spiritual wisdom that will guide the world when he arrives.
In the thangka, Maitreya is typically shown seated on a throne, a position that signifies his future role as the next Buddha. Unlike the traditional cross-legged meditation posture, Maitreya often sits with one leg extended downward, symbolizing his readiness to enter the world and teach. This pose reflects his active and imminent role in guiding sentient beings.
