The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1456 page)

and
Up
ya
or
nyat
and
Karu
a
in Buddhist Tantra. The rhythmical movement of maithuna also reflects the rhythmical vibration (
spanda
) of the cosmos.
The Tantras give details of rituals (
p
j
) involving maithuna (the
str
p
j
), stressing their secrecy and the danger of
hell
for one who performs these rites with desire.

 
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(Skt., ‘loving one’; P
li, Metteyya; Chin., Mile-fo; Korean, Mit
k; Jap., Miroku). One of the five earthly buddhas, the embodiment of all-embracing love, who is expected to come in the future as the fifth and last of the buddhas. In early Buddhism, Maitreya dwells in the
Tu
ita
heaven (the realm of the fully delighted gods), waiting for the decline and eclipse of Buddhism, when he will become the next Buddha—in about 30,000 years time. This belief was further developed in all Mah
y
na countries, and above all in Tibet, where he is known as
byams pa (champa)
. It is a particular commitment of
Gelugpa
to prepare for his coming. He is depicted usually with feet placed firmly on the ground, ready to step into the world.