41b. Buddha Metteyya – 1676
His mother gives birth in a standing position and in a forest. The Bodhisatta
Metteyya will be born in the Deer Park at Isipatana. The feet of the baby are
placed in a golden cloth. He is received first by Devas and afterwards by men.
Before his feet touch the ground, the Four Great Kings present him to his
mother, saying: “Rejoice, lady, for mighty is the son that is born to you.” He
comes forth without any stain. Two showers of cool and warm water fall from
the sky to bathe mother and the Bodhisatta. He takes seven steps to the north,
surveys the four quarters, and pronounces the lion’s roar that he is supreme in
the world. When he is born, an illimitable, splendid radiance is seen throughout
the universe. Seven days after the birth of the Bodhisatta, his mother dies and is
reborn in the Tusita Realm.
When Bodhisatta Metteyya is reborn in the human world, life on earth will be
like life in a Deva world. Women will marry at the age of five hundred. There
will only be three diseases: desire (
iccha
), hunger (
anasana
), and old age (
jarā
).
Jambudīpa will have Ketumatī, which is present-day Bārāṇasī, as its capital city.
In addition, there will be 84,000 cities with 900 million princes. Jambudīpa will
extend for 100,000 leagues. It will be without thorns, clear, with green grass.
There will be grass which is four inches high and soft as cotton. The climate will
always be good. The rains will be even, and the winds will be neither too hot nor
too cold. The rivers and ponds will not lack water. There will be white sand that
is not rough, the size of peas and beans. The country will be like an adorned
garden. The villages will be close together, full of people, without interval.
The people will be tranquil, safe, and free from danger. They will be happy and
joyful, enjoying festivals. They will have plenty to eat and drink. Jambudīpa will
be delightful, like Āḷakamandā, the capital city of the Kurus. The capital city of
Jambudīpa, Ketumatī, will be twelve leagues long and seven leagues wide. The
city will have beautiful lotus ponds, full of water that is fragrant, clear, clean,
cool, and sweet. The ponds will be accessible to people at all times. There will be
seven rows of palm trees and walls of seven colours, made of jewels, will
surround the city.
In squares at the gates of the city, there will be shining wishing trees: one blue,
one yellow, one red, and one white. Divine adornments and ornaments as well as
all sorts of wealth and possessions will be hanging on the trees.