Doomsday beliefs an expression of self-doubt

Maitreya belief and Doomsday views

Religious stories about the “future of destruction and sufferings on Earth” set such a pessimistic scenario to justify the appearance of “a saviour from heaven”.  

In other words, Doomsday views are based on a common background belief in the failure of the human being and human society in general terms - to reach the mind of wisdom and compassion, and this failure creates the need for heaven to do something about it by sending a saviour.

•  In Christian beliefs, the current world is seen as continually filled with evil and destruction, and to save people from their sufferings, Jesus will appear again, descending from Heaven.  

• Islamic beliefs follow the same pattern of predicting chaos and sufferings awaiting humanity - and that a saviour from Heaven, the Mahdi, will appear.  

• Judaism suggests that a descendant of King David will appear to bring righteousness and justice.

• The Maitreya belief fits in the same doomsday pattern as a Buddhist version of predicting the decline of its teachings to save people, and thus this would necessitate the future  appearance of a heavenly saviour, currently residing in Heaven.

The fact that apocalyptic beliefs are found in various western and eastern religions – is a proof of a common failure of such religions to give a lasting solution of peace and security.  

Lotus Buddhism predicting peace and prosperity for humanity

On the opposite side of the pessimistic view about the end of the world - stands Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra, which teaches that humanity has great potentials and capacity for compassion and wisdom, and that this enlightened-nature of the human mind is inherent as a potential in all people.

A truly beneficial teaching is that which can help people transform their suffering through correct actions that lead to harmony, happiness and desirable results.  If people base their action on the truth of the Dharma of Cause and Effect, there is no reason why they should fail to achieve positive effects and desirable results.  

As Nichiren (1222-1282) states:  “…human beings never fail to prosper when the make good causes” WND1p1013 .  

In this statement, the word “never” indicates that the function of the Law of Cause and Effect is not conditioned by time or any limitation.

The Future of Humanity according to the Lotus Sutra

In sutras of Traditional Buddhism (called also Pre-Lotus), the Buddha taught his immediate disciples.  He answered their emerging questions and concerns at that time in a way that suited their circumstances and needs.  The Lotus Sutra, however, was preached in the last years of his life, and he conveyed in it his view about the future of Buddhism.  

Contrary to the images of sufferings and destruction, the Buddha predicted future happiness and enlightenment of his followers, and:  “their minds will be filled with great joy” (ch.8), and “danced for joy”, “our hearts are filled with joy” (ch.9), “you will experience joy and good fortune… Medicine King, now I say to you, I have preached various sutras, and among those sutras the Lotus is the foremost!". (ch.10).

The word “joy” repeats in the text of the Lotus Sutra over 100 times, and the Buddha clearly stated in it that it is a sutra about the future of Buddhism. The Buddha described his land (which is the land of this reality filled with people who follow his teachings) - as: “this, my land, remains safe and tranquil” (ch.16). Far from the pessimistic views of traditional Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra expresses the potential of humanity of reaching enlightenment, security and good fortune.    

Both Theravada and Mahayana sutras are considered as provisional or preparatory for the Lotus Sutra, which integrates all Pre-Lotus teachings into a new vision of optimism about the future of Buddhism.  The Buddha taught that the future is based on the causes people make, and predicted people’s capacity and potential to make correct causes leading to prosperous results.