Celebrating Loving Kindness on Maitreya Day: Significance and Traditional Practices to Start the Lunar New Year Celebrating the Buddha-to-Come

From “ringing the bell 108 times” as a ceremony, to great festivals of light and offerings, Lunar New Year marks the special day for the “Buddha to Come” Maitreya. On this day, we celebrate with loving-kindness and generosity —...

Feb 8, 2024 - 21:01

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Celebrating Loving Kindness on Maitreya Day: Significance and Traditional Practices to Start the Lunar New Year Celebrating the Buddha-to-Come

From “ringing the bell 108 times” as a ceremony, to great festivals of light and offerings, Lunar New Year marks the special day for the “Buddha to Come” Maitreya. On this day, we celebrate with loving-kindness and generosity — to honor his name, which translates as “loving kindness” (Maitri). He is so loving and kind, he is often just called “loving gentle friend.”

Buddha Weekly Close up of Maitreaya Buddha dreamstime l 27041244 Buddhism

Face of a loving friend — Maitreya Buddha.

Especially important on His day is offerings, charity, supporting friends and Sangha and helping others with loving-kindness. Acts of loving-kindness are praising Maitreya, our kind Noble Friend.

Maitreya is foretold in Samyutta Nikaya’s Maitreyavimāna Sutta (Samyutta Nikāya 36.21). Mention of Maitreya is made numerous times throughout the Mahayana Sutras such as the Heart Sutra and Surangama Sutra, often reaffirming that Maitreya will be a Buddha who follows after Gautama Buddha. An entire chapter of the Lotus Sutra is dedicated to Maitreya.

In Mahayana traditions we celebrate Maitreya Day on lunar new year — this year February 10, 2024. This corresponds also with Losar in Tibetan tradition and Chinese New Year. There are many reasons to celebrate. In Tibetan tradition, we celebrate the 15 Days of Shakyamuni Buddha’s miracles, starting February 10 and going to the 24th — considered Holy Buddha Days with extra merit for practices and offerings. In Mahayana tradition, New Years marks Maitreya Day. For many of us, we celebrate both. This is a celebration of the Buddha who came, Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Buddha who is to come, Maitreya.

Buddha Weekly Maitreya Buddha statue in Ladakh India dreamstime l 20977083 Buddhism

Maitreya Buddha, a giant statue in Ladakh India.

Who is Maitreya Buddha: The Future Buddha and His Teachings

Maitreya Buddha, also known as the Future Buddha, is a significant figure in the teachings (For a full feature on Maitreya, see>>). He is the Bodhisattva who embodies loving-kindness — the meaning of his name — and will appear on Earth in the future, demonstrate enlightenment, and teach the pure Dharma. We say “demonstrate enlilghtenment” in the same way as we traditionally think of Gautama Buddha. Gautama was a Bodhisattva, born to Earth, already Enlightened, but who demonstrated the way to Enlightenment for our benefit. In the same way, Maitreya, an Enlightened Bodhisattva, will also be born again on Earth — in the time of greatest degeneration — to bring about a period of great peace and understanding in the world, marking a new beginning.

Learn more about Maitreya and his mantras and practices>> Buddha Weekly Buddhist using bamboo Chien Tung sticks at Chinese New Year in Buddhist Temple Buddhism

Buddha Weekly Buddhist using bamboo Chien Tung sticks at Chinese New Year in Buddhist Temple Buddhism

Chinese New Year and “throwing the sticks”

Maitreya Buddha’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word “maitri”, which means friendship and kindness. Even though every Bodhisaattva embodies compassion, wisdom and metta, he is synonymous with them. His future teachings will likewise orbit around the cultivation of such qualities, promoting love, compassion, and understanding among people. Buddhists worldwide anticipate his arrival as it signifies a time of unbridled love, joy, and universal peace source.

In most Buddhist traditions, Maitreya Buddha is depicted as sitting with both of his feet on the ground, representing readiness and his imminent journey to Earth. This portrayal signifies his promise to appear at a time when Dharma will be forgotten, reminding us of the importance of maintaining our practice and upholding the teachings of Buddha.

Golden Maitreya Buddha statue in Likir Monastery, Leh, Ladakh.

So, as we prepare to celebrate Maitreya Buddha Day, remember that it is an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to embodying the values of love, compassion, and kindness that Maitreya Buddha represents. His best offerings are generous offerings, helping others, kindness, love, and following the precepts.

By carrying these values in your daily activities, you are essentially embodying the teachings of the Future Buddha, thereby contributing to the manifestation of a more loving and peaceful world.

Buddha Weekly Temple Chinese new Year Buddhist 166868806 Buddhism

A Mahayana temple during lunar new year.

Starting the Lunar New Year with Maitreya Buddha Day: What Does it Mean?

To begin the Lunar New Year with Maitreya Buddha Day is symbolic of “new” — remembering he will be the future Buddha — and it signals our practice commitment to a year of loving kindness, wisdom and compassion. It is meant to embody a renewal of self and spirit, mirroring the renewal phase of the moon, and marking the start of the Lunar New Year.

For more on Lunar Dates in Dharma practice, and the dates for 2024, see>>

Starting the year with Maitreya Buddha Day signifies a distinct departure from the past and a heartfelt intention to embrace the enlightened future that Maitreya Buddha signifies. Imagine it as stepping into a new chapter equipped with peace, compassion, and wisdom, three fundamental virtues embodied by this effervescent Buddha of the future.

Chinese New Year famously includes fireworks and lion dances.

Sharing in this celebration gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the teachings of Maitreya Buddha and align with his core message. The wisdom of Maitreya Buddha is aimed at unconditional love and the end of suffering through the attainment of enlightenment. Remember, this occasion isn’t just a day, it’s a platform to build a more loving and mindful year ahead. Starting your year this way can set a positive tone and orient your actions towards those of compassion and understanding.

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Now, as you anticipate this spiritual event, you might be wondering how you can make the most of it. Well, the good news is, you’re already off to a promising start by understanding its significance. As we delve into the practices and techniques to celebrate Maitreya Buddha Day in detail, you’ll discover practical and meaningful ways to bring the essence of this celebration into your everyday life, even after the Lunar New Year has passed.

Traditional Practices to Welcome the Lunar New Year with Maitreya Buddha Day

Embracing Maitreya Buddha Day involves hearty observance of various traditional practices that not only pay homage to the Maitreya Buddha but also help to start the Lunar New Year on a positive note. These generosity-oriented practices are rooted in mindfulness, goodwill, and compassion—core principles associated with the teachings of Maitreya Buddha.

Buddha Weekly Rading sutras is a valuable practice here young monks read sutras aloud dreamstime xxl 33430052 Buddhism

Two young monks recite sutras out loud, a meritorious practice.

One such traditional practice is the recital of the Sutras mentioning Maitreya. This recitation is not only to invoke the blessings of Maitreya Buddha, and that he may guide us through wisdom and compassion in times of difficulty, but to generate wisdom and merit through sutra recitation.

Another form of veneration on this special day involves the distribution of food and other essentials to the poor, donating to Dharma causes and the Sangha, supporting any Noble Dharma activity, or any other charitable activities. The merit of this giving is multipled millions of times on Maitreya and Buddha Days, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, based on the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.

Buddha Weekly 2Monks Buddhist receiving alms gives opportunity for lay believers to practice generosity

Practicing generosity creates positive karma. Here, a kind lay-Buddhist gives alms to three monks who, like the Buddha, eat only before noon and only from food given to them. Merit for good deeds is an intuitive concept in karma.

Maitreya is synonymous with love and we show this with our generosity. This selfless aid to those less fortunate resonates with Maitreya Buddha’s teachings of loving-kindness and generosity, encouraging each one of us to broaden our compassion and kindness towards all beings.

Traditionally, we welcome the shining light of Maitreya with candles and light, as much as possible. This is one reason, on New Year, you see fireworks, butterlamp offerings by the thousands and lanterns floating down the river, or across the sky.

Lanterns carry the “wishes” of celebrators to the heavens. Nothing is more beautiful than the floating lanterns lifting into the night sky.

How to reach Maitreya today

Although he will come as the “future” manifested Buddha in our world, according to the prophecies of Shakyamuni Buddha, he is “reachable” now through meditation, prayer, mantras and practice. Although he resides in Tushita Heaven — he is active as a compassionate Bodhisattva. Simply call his name, meditate on his form, chant his mantra, and his compassionate power will reach you.

His simplest prayer is to chant: