A Maitreya Buddha thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting that depicts Maitreya, the future Buddha who will come to the world once the teachings of the current Buddha, Shakyamuni, have diminished. Maitreya represents the hope for future enlightenment and embodies compassion and spiritual renewal.
In these thangkas, Maitreya is usually shown seated on a throne, with one leg hanging down. This posture indicates his readiness to descend to the world and help guide people to enlightenment. This stance is different from other Buddhas and reflects his future role as a teacher.
