Iconography
Maitreya resides in Tushita heaven accessible through mediation & sits on a throne seat with two snow lions [Skt. Singhasana] in the frieze. Snow lions are the national symbol of Tibet. Tushita is alluded to by the mountainous landscapes swirling cumulous cloudbanks. His wears a green upper garment of Indian royalty from his shoulders, maroon Buddhist trousers with silk brocade, a blue Mantrayana apron and a sash representing the Himalayan Rainbow [Five Pure Lights of the Mahabhuta]. The small stupa shape in his headdress represents the stupa of the Buddha Sakyamuni's relics to help him identify it when his turn comes to lay claim to his succession. The light green khata loose around his waist is a traditional ceremonial scarf symbolizing purity.



He holds both hands in front of his heart in a hand position signifying the turning the wheel of Buddhist teachings [Skt. dharmachakra mudra]. The left hand holds the stem of a blue lotus or 'night lotus'[Skt. Utpala]. The word utpala means to 'burst open'. This supports an auspicious golden wheel [Skt. Chakra] which represents change, universal cycles of existence such as the changing of the hands of a watch, the seasons of the year, the earth & moon revolving around the sun and these three in turn revolving with other planets. All is in flux, forever changing. Each forward Turning of the wheel represents a movement of Buddhist teaching. This is usually called the turning of the Wheel of Dharma. The eight spokes symbolising the noble Eightfold Path of right Thought [mirror], right Insight or View [mustard seed], right Thought, right Action [bilva fruit], right Effort [durva grass], right Livelihood [curds] and right Contemplation [vermilion powder].


The right hand holds another lotus stem supporting a water pot [Skt. Kalasa] which traditionally contains the primeval water carried by the creator Brahma. This water of creation or water of life [don't confuse with the blue nectar of immortality]represents the pure conscious mind and its ability to regenerate and purify the conscious mind. The water pot is one of the eight auspicious symbols [Skt. Astamangalas] where the word asta means eight. The green nimbus around his head represents his cosmic nature. He is surrounded by a blooming 'pink lotus' [Skt. Kamala] and an unopened bud on her left hand. The Pink lotus blossoms represents the present love and the red unopened bud future love & yet to be born Buddhas. The future here also refers to beneficial changes circumstances that will help bring about. Maitreya's elongated earlobes represent patience; his topknot [Skt. Ushnisa] his abandonment of worldly possessions, the dot [Skt.urna] on his brow on the command chakra [Skt.ajna] represents his transcendent wisdom. The thin blue aureole around his body signifies the highest level of understanding.

Commentary
It is up to all sentient beings to turn the wheel Maitreya is a future Buddha, an enlightened person who will appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma which are the principles of Buddhism.