(This file was downloaded from Share International, a website set up by Benjamin Creme to promote Maitreya. This article demonstrates "new age" thinking concerning Maitreya, and documents the fact that he does appear to be nearly ready to emerge in a big way on the scene. - Sandy Simpson)

The Emergence of Lord Maitreya, The World Teacher

All the great religions posit the idea of a further revelation to be given by a future Teacher. Christians hope for the return of the Christ, the Buddhists look for the coming of another Buddha (the Lord Maitreya), while Muslims await the Imam Mahdi, the Hindus a reincarnation of Krishna, and the Jews the Messiah.

Students of the esoteric tradition know all these as different names for the same individual the Lord Maitreya, the World Teacher, the head of the Spiritual Hierarchy of Masters, and they look for His imminent return now.

In July, 1977, Maitreya emerged from His centre in the Himalayas, when least expected, like a thief in the night. Since then, He has lived in London as an ordinary man concerned with modern problems; political, economic and social.

Since March 1978, He has been emerging as a spokesman in the Pakistani-Indian community. He is not a religious leader, but an educator in the broadest sense, pointing the way out of the present world crisis. According to esoteric teaching, Maitreya manifested Himself 2,000 years ago in Palestine by overshadowing His disciple Jesus — now the Master Jesus. This time Maitreya has come Himself.

Maitreyas spiritual teaching. Maitreya does not intend to build a new religion around Himself, nor to create followers, but to teach humanity the art of Self-realization. The first steps are honesty of mind, sincerity of spirit and detachment.

Maitreya's social concern is reflected in His list of priorities: an adequate supply of the right food, adequate housing and shelter for all, healthcare and education as a universal right. His social message can be summarized in a few words: Share and save the world. Maitreya knows we will accept His advice and that we are on the threshold of an era of peace and goodwill.

Since late 1991, Maitreya is carrying out a series of appearances like the one in Nairobi, Kenya. There, on 11 June 1988, He appeared miraculously, out of the blue, at an open-air prayer/healing meeting. He was photographed addressing (in their own language) thousands of people who instantly recognized Him as the Christ.

Similar events have now been witnessed by large numbers in different countries. In this way, more and more people receive proof of His presence and, hopefully, in due course will demand media response. Maitreya expects this approach to lead to the Day of Declaration, when He will leave no doubt that He is the World Teacher. Maitreya will mentally overshadow all of humanity simultaneously. Each of us will hear His words inwardly, telepathically, in our own language, and all will know that the World Teacher is now among us.

The information about Maitreya's emergence has been presented to the public since 1974 by Benjamin Creme, chief editor of the magazine Share International. His training for this work, under a Master of Wisdom, began in 1959.

To summarize the historical perspective:

1982, 14 May: Creme reveals during a press conference in Los Angeles that Maitreya lives in the Asian community in London, and challenges the media to invite Maitreya to come forward. Unfortunately, the media do not react.

1985, 31 July: Twenty-two journalists representing the media of East and West gather in the East End of London, hoping for contact with Maitreya or His representative.

1987, August: Benjamin Creme announces: In the coming three or four months, Maitreya will be working intensively to bring about a breakthrough in international relationships in the world. Less than a month later the breakthrough comes, in the political meetings between the Americans and the Soviets, followed by the armaments agreement in December that no one had thought possible.

1988: Maitreya appears, both in person and in dreams, to well-known leaders in various countries, and to many ordinary citizens. World detente and the release of tension which ensues allows more open signs of His presence. Manifestations of crosses of light are reported in the US media and are seen by many thousands.

1990, 21 and 22 April: In London, Maitreya initiates a large conference attended by dignitaries from around the world. Maitreya appeared (and disappeared) several times, and spoke of His mission, teachings and plans.

1991/1994: Maitreya appears miraculously before large groups of people all over the world. In Tlacote (Mexico), Nordenau (Germany) and Nadana (India) healing wells charged by Maitreya attract growing numbers of visitors.

Since April 1988, through one of Maitreya's closest associates in the Asian community of London, Share International has received a series of articles. These outline Maitreya’s teachings and draw attention to developments and happenings which He expects to take place in the world, both in the short and the long term.

Outer events have demonstrated Maitreya's insight. As early as 1988, He foresaw the release of Nelson Mandela and the process of detente in South Africa. Again in 1988, when Mrs Thatcher was at the peak of her powers, Maitreya said that her wheel of fortune had turned against her and that she would resign. In the same year He stated that governments everywhere would have to give way to the voice of the people, a statement which found its most impressive proof in Eastern Europe. Furthermore, weeks or months ahead of time, Maitreya forecast the cease-fire between Iran and Iraq; the withdrawal of foreign troops from Angola; the global rapprochement between guerrilla forces and national governments; the Armenian earthquake in 1988, and those in California and China in 1989; the internal problems of the Soviet Union; the establishment of peace in the Lebanon. He also forecast the election of a Democrat as President of the United States and the positive developments in the relation between Israel and the Palestinians.

A major event which, Maitreya says, we may expect to see in the near future and which he announced as early as 1988: an international stock market crash, beginning in Japan.