Conventional Buddhism is based on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, who was born in what is now Nepal about 2500 years ago. Now, there's a new Buddha on the block!
At the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (where there appeared to be nothing ancient at all), some devout Chinese have come up with a new myth - a second Buddha called Maityana. This chap appeared 42 aeons before Shakyamuni, and is supposedly scheduled to appear again 5,270 millenia hence, to rid the world of all known diseases.
The Temple contains thousands of Buddha images, most of which you can sponsor by buying a share for a few dozen dollars. Magically, there are splendid Boddhisatvas corresponding to the years of the rat, cat, goat, etc, and a good deal else. The Chinese love throwing money at a lucky charm, and the Temple is doing a roaring trade.
Buddha as business - a new standard in moral turpitude!
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