Posted 11 April 2012 - 02:43 PM
"Maitreya" is just a name - the name of the expected Buddha to come. It may also have roots in the old Mithraism religion.
There are many who are currently calling themselves Maitreya and claiming prophethood, etc. All of them teach different things. Those that are teaching things that are unscriptural, setting themselves up as God, etc., I believe fulfill the prophecy of Christ that many will come in His name (the name of God or Christhood), deceiving many, teaching falsehood, and showing great signs and wonders. These Maitreyas are false prophets and could be called "antichrist."
The real question is if any of the Maitreyas, or those who proclaim to be Prophets of God, fulfill prophecies from Scripture, bring a great Message, or have other credentials that prove they are a Prophet of God (as all of God's Prophets always fulfilled prophecies and had clear proofs from God of their mission). Christ said He would return with a new name - how do we know it will not be Maitreya?
Indeed, I submit that the prophecies of the end times in all religions and cultures (including Buddhism and Christianity) are being fulfilled around us, and therefore we should be expecting the imminent coming of the Messiah expected by all religions and cultures to come at the end times/ending of an age/etc.
In fact I submit to you that he has indeed been given the name Maitreya, and he is already here. He has fulfilled Prophecies from all world religions and cultures, and brought a teaching that unifies all the religions of the world and for the first time shows clearly how all are from the same, One God, each sent as part of an overall Plan which is now coming to fruition. Maitreya's teaching also unifies the West and the East, science and spirit, and shows how the two are not contradictory but complementary.
Do not take my word for it - I challenge you to study Maitreya's literature, prophecies fulfilled, etc. and prove it to yourself that he is indeed the True Maitreya, the Prophet of God: www.maitreya.org