Toh 35Sūtra on Maitreya

Commentary on the Maitri Sutra (The Sutra on Bodhisattva Maitreya)

Background

The Maitri Sutra (Maitrīsūtra) is an important scripture in the Northern Transmission Mahayana tradition, preserved in the Tibetan Kangyur. This sutra focuses on the image and merit of Bodhisattva Maitreya (Mẫu Lân Hôn Độn), the bodhisattva who will become a Buddha in the age of the Great Future.

According to traditional lore, the sutra was taught by Shakyamuni Buddha in order to arouse the faith of sentient beings, helping them clearly understand the process of practicing the bodhisattva path and the immeasurable merit of Bodhisattva Maitreya. This is one of the foundational scriptures of the Mind-Only school and other Mahayana schools in Tibet, from which it spread to countries following Northern Transmission Buddhism.

This sutra reflects the Mahayana’s confidence that all sentient beings have the capacity to become Buddhas, and that Maitreya is the living remembrance of a radiant Buddhist future in the heart of every devotee.

Main Content

The Maitri Sutra explains the supreme qualities and merits of Bodhisattva Maitreya. The focus of the sutra is the depiction of a bodhisattva whose loving kindness (maitrī) is perfect, meaning that he loves and blesses all sentient beings without distinction.

In the sutra, the Buddha points out that Maitreya has practiced for countless kalpas in order to accumulate merit and practice the bodhisattva deeds (pāramitā) - the supreme practices comprising generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. Maitreya does not practice only for himself, but always directs his mind of wisdom and loving kindness toward humanity and all sentient beings.

The sutra also describes the future when Maitreya becomes a Buddha in the Tushita world, where beings are liberated under especially favorable conditions. At that time, the Dharma gate will shine clearly, obstacles will no longer remain, and those who sincerely submit themselves will be liberated.