The Future Buddha
未来的佛陀
”I am not the first Buddha to come upon this earth; nor shall I be the last. Previously, there were many Buddhas who appeared in this world. In due time, another Buddha will arise in this world, within this world cycle.”
When the Buddha was about to pass away, Ven. Ananda and many other disciples wept. The Buddha said, ”Enough, Ananda. Do not allow yourself to be troubled. Do not weep. Have I not already told you that it is in the very nature of things that they must pass away. We must be separated from all that is near and dear to us. The foolish man conceives his idea of Self; the wise man sees there is no ground on which to build the Self. Thus the wise man has a right conception of the world. He will conclude that all component things will be dissolved again; but the Truth will always remain.”
The Buddha continued:” Why should I preserve this body when the body of the excellent law will endure
I am resolved. I have accomplished my purpose and have attended to the work set upon me. Ananda, for a long time you have been very near to me in thoughts, words and acts of much love beyond all measure. You have done well, Ananda. Be earnest in effort and you too will soon be free from bondages! You will be free from sensuality, from delusion, and from ignorance.” Suppressing his tears, Ananda said to the Buddha, ”Who shall teach us when You are gone
” And the Buddha advised him to regard His Teaching as the Master.
The Buddha continued again:” I am not the first Buddha to come upon earth; nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in this world, a Holy One, a Supremely Enlightened One, endowed with wisdom, in conduct auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of devas and men. He will reveal to you the same Eternal Truths which I have taught you. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure; such as I now proclaim.”
”How shall we know him
” asked Ananda. The Buddha replied, ”He will be known as Maitreya which means kindness or friendliness.”
Buddhists believe that those people who at present are doing meritorious deeds by leading a religious life will have a chance to be reborn as human beings in the time of Maitreya Buddha and will obtain Nibbana identical with that of Gautama Buddha. In this way they will find salvation through the guidance of His Teaching. His Teaching will become a hope of the remote future for everybody. However, according to the Buddha devout religious people can gain this Nabbanic bliss at any time if they really work for it irrespective of whether a Buddha appears or not.
”As long as my disciples lead a pure religious life, so long the world will never become empty of Arahantas.”
我不是世间的第一位佛陀，也不是最后一位佛陀，这世间有过很多的佛陀，只要因缘成熟，另一位佛陀将出世。当佛陀即将入灭时，阿难达和众多弟子在哭泣。
佛陀说：「阿难达啊！够了，不要再悲恸的哭泣了，不要使自己烦恼。我曾经告诉你们，万物的本质就是如此，世间的一切都是生生灭灭的，我们必须和我们亲近的人分离。愚痴的人执着于『我』，聪明的人放弃『自我』。因此，聪明的人对世间有正确的观念，他知道所有因缘和合的事物将会消散。只有真理永远的存在。」
佛陀接着说：「我为何要保存这因缘假合的肉体呢？有关缘起法的真理，已经流传下来。我决定了，我已完成我的目的，我已做完了我的工作。阿难达啊！你接近我的思想、语言、行为已经有一段很长的时间了，你已经做得很好。阿难达啊！再精进努力吧！你将很快的解脱于种种束缚！你将解脱于贪欲、嗔恚和愚痴。」
阿难达仰制内心的悲恸，问佛陀：「世尊！当您入灭后，谁来领导我们？」
佛陀回答道：「我的教义──佛法(Dhamma)，就是你们的导师。」
佛陀接着说道：「我不是世间的第一位佛陀，也不是最后一位佛陀。当因缘成熟时，将另有佛陀降世于此世间，他是纯净和卓越的觉者，他以智慧和慈心闻名于世，他是无与伦比的人天导师，他将为人间开示不朽的真理，如同我教诲你们一样。他会引导你们过神圣和纯净的生活，就如我一样。」阿难达问道：「他是谁呢？」佛陀回答：「他就是美德亚佛(Metteyya，古译：弥勒佛)，也就是慈悲和亲切的佛陀。」《大般涅槃经》
佛教徒相信，如果能过纯净的宗教生活，累积功德，将来会有机缘降生于美德亚佛出世的年代，证得与佛陀相同的涅槃。在那时候，他们根据佛陀的教诲而得到解脱。佛陀的教诲是人类未来的希望。不过，只要依照佛法，努力精进，将来不管是否有佛诞生，都能够证悟涅槃。
「只要我的弟子过着纯净的八正道生活，世间将永远不会没有阿拉汉。」《大般涅槃经》