Maitreya Buddha as the manifestation of ultimate reality

In the history of Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha is a figure that is often viewed as a bodhisattva in the present and regarded as the Buddha of the future. Maitreya is the successor of the Sakyamuni Buddha and is the one who will continue his teachings/dharma and lead all beings to nirvana. According to the Pali Canon, he is the last of kalpa/the five earthly Buddhas of the era. Maitreya currently lives in the celestial paradise named Tusita and narrates the dharma to other celestial beings living there. Due to this reason, from the beginning of Buddhism, being born in Tusita Heaven and seeing Maitreya there or being with him at the time of his ascend from Heaven has become a goal for Buddhists. Maitreya's main role is that he will come to restore reality at a time when the teaching has been completely forgotten. Maitreya Buddha, in his most fundamental role in the history of Buddhism, represents the emergence of ultimate reality. In this context, this study will research how Maitreya emerged throughout the history of Buddhism and how he was accepted as the ultimate reality. In other words, Maitreya will be discussed as the final meaning or the final goal that will be reached at the end of everything. This research aims to determine the position and importance of Maitreya in the Buddhist tradition and to reveal how he manifests as the Ultimate Reality. It also focuses on how Maitreya Buddha is understood and experienced by Buddhists, and how he influences Buddhists' lives. It aims to reach the essence, meaning, and reality of the Maitreya phenomenon. In this research, the meaning of Maitreya for Buddhists is discussed with a phenomenological approach. Definitions and descriptions have been made about how Buddhists experience Maitreya via historical events, experiences, perceptions, concepts, and situations. These descriptions are used together with various explanations and analyses to focus on the essence of the Maitreya phenomenon. Maitreya's phenomenological analysis offers a significant perspective for understanding the belief systems, experiences, and teachings of Buddhist communities.