Author Topic: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?  (Read 7988 times)

hope rainbow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 947
Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« on: January 02, 2013, 04:51:11 PM »
There is a sect who's leader who names himself Rael pretends to be one with Maitreya.

http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael1.htm

In history, he is not the first one, there are been a few who have claimed the same and we may doubt the motivation of some of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya

< The following list is just a small selection of those people who claimed or claim to be the incarnation of Maitreya. Many have either used the Maitreya incarnation claim to form a new Buddhist sect or have used the name of Maitreya to form a new religious movement or cult.

Gung Ye, a Korean warlord and king of short-lived state of Taebong during the 10th century, claimed himself as living incarnation of Maitreya and ordered his subjects to worship him. His claim was widely rejected by most Buddhist monks and later he was dethroned and killed by his own servants.

In 613 the monk Xiang Haiming claimed himself Maitreya and adopted imperial title.

In 690 Empress Wu inaugurated the Second Zhou dynasty, proclaimed herself an incarnation of the future Buddha Maitreya, and made Luoyang the "holy capital." In 693 she replaced the compulsory Dao De Jing in the curriculum temporarily with her own Rules for Officials.

Lu Zhong Yi, the 17th patriarch of I-Kuan Tao, claimed to be an incarnation of Maitreya.

L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the belief systems Dianetics and Scientology, suggested he was "Metteya" (Maitreya) in the 1955 poem Hymn of Asia. Numerous editors and followers of Hubbard claim that in the book's preface, specific physical characteristics said to be outlined—in unnamed Sanskrit sources—as properties of the coming Maitreya; properties which Hubbard's appearance supposedly aligned with.

Adi Da was suggested by his devotees to be Maitreya: "an All-Surpassing God-Man yet to come -- a final Avatar, the ultimate Messiah, a consumate Prophet or Enlightened Sage, a Spiritual Deliverer who will appear in the 'late-time', the 'dark' epoch when humanity is lost, apparently cut off from Wisdom, Truth and God. Buddhists call that Expected One 'Maitreya'."

Raël's Maitreya claims center on the content of the Agama Sutra (Japanese: Agon Sutra), supposedly a very ancient text written by Buddha himself, but which has been deemphasized or forgotten by the majority of Buddhist cultures. Raël has claimed directly to people attending Asia Raëlian Church seminars, that someone born in France, a country which is often symbolized by the cock (or rooster), west of the Orient, meets the criteria of the Maitreya. Rael himself claims to be this individual. >


Rael does not have a lineage, and he is not Buddhist. Neither had nor was Ron Hubbard.
Yet Rael claims his legitimacy was given to him by the Elohims, an extraterrestrial race who leader is Yahve himself, the creator. And thus, Rael is like their human ambassador on planet earth.

http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael2.htm

A few years ago, the Raelien movement made news as they claimed to have succeeded a number of human cloning, illegally, yet never could prove it. The Raelien cloning agency, "Cloneaid.com", claimed that the children were hidden in Israel.

Is it possible that Maitreya is reaching to some western minds that are more likely to believe in alien life rather than in enlightenment, or even karma and rebirth?
Is it possible that Rael is a bodhisattva that is using a different method to help some people engage in spirituality?


What do you think?

What is the Message given to Maitreya Rael by the Extraterrestrials, Elohim?
see here: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael5.htm
Nothing very Dharmic to me... Not a word about compassion nor wisdom...

Yet, through Rael, the Elohims are sending messages to the human race.
In 1997, a message said:

< “Buddhism is achieving more and more success on the Earth and that is a good thing because it is seeking a necessary balance between science and spirit and is therefore the closest religion to the truth for the people of the new era. If we took away the mystical importance of the past in Buddhism, it would become Raelianism. More and more Buddhists are likely to become Raelians." >

See here: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael8.htm

More claim of similarities between Rael and Buddha are made.

< Buddhism and Raelianism have the exact same basic philosophy about such things as relationship between humans and the universe, enlightenment and the Universe itself because Buddha was a Messenger of the Elohim. If Buddha was a Messenger of the Elohim, traces of that should have remained in ancient Buddhism. >

See here: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael9.htm

Still nothing about compassion, nothing about desire, hatred or ignorance... I mean where is the link with Buddhism really then?

More here: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael12.htm

< The Extra-Terrestrials Elohim are confirming that the Prophet Rael is indeed the Buddha born in the West. >

And here: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael14.htm

< “The Elohim's last Prophet, Maitreya Rael, is the real Maitreya from the West that all Buddhists have been waiting for so long." >

Here is the "dharma" of the raeliens I could find: http://www.maitreya.co.kr/eng/maitreya/maitreyarael16.htm

Interesting find... Maybe...

hope rainbow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 947
Re: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2013, 05:04:30 PM »
Here is a picture of Rael

yontenjamyang

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 733
    • Email
Re: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2013, 10:11:33 AM »
The basic flaw in the claim by Rael being Maitreya is that

"he claims his legitimacy was given to him by the Elohims, an extraterrestrial race who leader is Yahve himself, the creator. And thus, Rael is like their human ambassador on planet earth."

Well I think, Buddhism encompasses this universe and thus even aliens however intelligent they may be are only sentient beings. Even if they are gods they are still sentient beings. Hence, Rael's claim should be rejected by knowledgable buddhist.

This does not means I do not believe in intelligent aliens beings but that is another matter that can be discuss through another topic.

Anyway, I believe when Maitreya comes those with merits will automatically believe. Just like our Lama/Guru. We believe in Karma/Merits. Hence our Karma/Merits will enable us to meet Maitreya when he comes or if we practice well this lifetime then we can meet Him in Tushita along with Lama Tsongkhapa. I think that should be the commitment of this very rare human rebirth as least.

Big Uncle

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1995
Re: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2013, 05:26:57 AM »

Here's another more popular emanation of Maitreya - the laughing Buddha. One of the perennial Buddhist images in China that are seen almost everywhere Chinese culture permeates. I did a bit of search on Wikipedia and found a host of interesting information regarding the laughing Buddha...

Budai or Hotei in Japanese, B? ??i in Vietnamese, is a Chinese folkloric deity. His name means "Cloth Sack," and comes from the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying. He is usually identified with (or as an incarnation of) Maitreya, so much so that the Budai image is one of the main forms in which Maitreya is depicted in East Asia. He is almost always shown smiling or laughing, hence his nickname in Chinese, the Laughing Buddha . Many Westerners confuse Budai with Gautama Buddha.

Budai is traditionally depicted as a fat bald man wearing a robe and wearing or otherwise carrying prayer beads. He carries his few possessions in a cloth sack,[3] being poor but content. He is often depicted entertaining or being followed by adoring children. His figure appears throughout Chinese culture as a representation of contentment. His image graces many temples, restaurants, amulets, and businesses.

History

According to Chinese history, Budai was an eccentric Chán (Zen) monk who lived in China during the Later Liang Dynasty (907–923 CE). He was a native of Fenghua, and his Buddhist name was Qieci (literally "Promise this"). He was considered a man of good and loving character.

The term buddha means "one who is awake", connoting one who has awakened into enlightenment. Over the history of Buddhism, there have been several notable figures who would come to be remembered as, and referred to as, buddhas. Later followers of the Chan school would come to teach that all beings possess Buddha nature within them, and are already enlightened, but have yet to realize it. This teaching would continue into Zen.
Budai is often conflated with (or simply replaces) the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, in spite of the distinct visual differences in how each has been depicted. In India, Nepal, and throughout southeast Asia, Gautama (who lived during the 6th c. BCE) is commonly depicted as being tall and slender in appearance. In contrast, in China and those areas to which Chinese cultural influence spread, the depiction of Budai (who lived during the 10th c. CE) is consistently short and round.

Folklore

Budai in folklore is admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment. One belief popular in folklore maintains that rubbing his belly brings wealth, good luck, and prosperity.
In Japan, Hotei persists in folklore as one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin) of Taoism.

Buddhism
Some Buddhist traditions consider him a Buddha or a bodhisattva, often identifying him with Maitreya (the future Buddha). His identification with the Maitreya is attributed to a Buddhist hymn he uttered before his death:

"Maitreya, the true Maitreya
has billions of incarnations.
Often he is shown to people at the time;
other times they do not recognize him."

Zen
The primary story that concerns Budai in Zen is a short k?an. In it, Budai is said to travel giving candy to poor children, only asking a penny from Zen monks or lay practitioners he meets. One day a monk walks up to him and asks, "What is the meaning of Zen?" Budai drops his bag. "How does one realize Zen?" he continues. Budai then takes up his bag and continues on his way.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2013, 05:36:24 AM by Big Uncle »

Positive Change

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1008
Re: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2013, 05:02:53 PM »
It is not so strange to see how some people can convince themselves to a point where they think they are who they are or believe what they believe it. I do not see anything wrong with one's conviction to a certain point or opinion but it becomes a 'problem' when the person in question tries to make others see it their way to a point of fanaticism. Therein lies the problem. Individuality is a good thing but individualistic suppression is an entirely different ball game.

Have a quick look at these videos and and see how 'shifty', convoluted and deluded Rael is. But having said that, he is utterly convinced he is right to a point of arrogance and uses the law to support his delusions.

Here is a three part video of Rael on the Late Late Show... Quite interesting how he debates his deluded points with an intelligence that is laden with ignorance!

What do you think?

Part 1:
Rael on Late Late show part 1 of 3 Small | Large


Part 2:
Rael on Late Late show part 2 of 3


Part 3:
Rael on Late Late show part 3 of 3




DS Star

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 418
Re: Have you heard of Maitreya Rael?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2013, 03:14:23 PM »
The basic flaw in the claim by Rael being Maitreya is that

"he claims his legitimacy was given to him by the Elohims, an extraterrestrial race who leader is Yahve himself, the creator. And thus, Rael is like their human ambassador on planet earth."

Similar to yontenjampang, this claim is the main flaws... in Buddhist' belief, there is no "creator" of this universe, not a heavenly being nor an extraterrestrial race.

The gods in heavens are sentient beings born into one of the 6 realms of existence; though they have the best of the best in term of enjoyment and pleasant environment, they are still subject to the suffering of samsara; they're still being controlled by their pride, emotions, jealousy, and fear, especially towards the end of their lives span in heaven where they'll most likely taking rebirth in the 3 lower realms.

The point is, gods in heaven are not immortal like the concept of a Creator God. When Rael claimed that he is 'chosen' by an extraterrestrial race whose leader is the 'creator', then this statement of claim is in itself is not conforming to Buddhists' belief, so how can he be the "Maitreya" on earth?