Who is Maitreya: Buddha, Bodhisattva, or God of Wealth?
A comparative iconography in contemporary Vietnamese culture
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11066243Keywords:
Maitreya, God of Wealth, Maitreya – God of Wealth (MGW), comparative iconography, cultural syncretismAbstract
Maitreya is currently recognized in Buddhist doctrines as both Bodhisattva and Buddha, a symbol and an original expression. Though diverse and challenging to identify its origins, Maitreya's expressions and symbolism can be broadly categorized into two original styles, Indian and Chinese. Using comparative iconography this research traces the development of Maitreya in Vietnam from its origin in the Chinese style, often depicted as a large, jolly man with a smile to its representation. In this research, the syncretization process is employed to analyze the evolution of the Maitreya symbol and its expressions in Vietnam through these same two incarnations of Maitreya Buddha and Maitreya Bodhisattva. The Maitreya icon in China contrasts with the Indian icon with a serious face, slender body, and calm vibe. The research explores the emergence of and differentiation between Maitreya and quasi-Maitreya symbols in modern Vietnamese culture to emphasize the persistence of cultural syncretism. Finally, a new hypothesis emerged in the late 20th century: against a background of changed economic circumstances in Vietnam, the Maitreya symbol evolved into a new deity: Maitreya - God of Wealth (MGW).
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