Three Buddhas in Buddhist Tradition: Past Present and Future Buddha

In Buddhist cosmology, time is considered a flowing river: continuous, cyclic, and filled with countless Buddhas who arise to awaken beings from ignorance. Among them, three Buddhas stand out as a timeless trinity, embodying the enlightenment of the past, present, and future.

Let’s explore who these three buddhas are and their significance, along with the brief interpretations across Buddhist traditions. 

Who are the three Buddhas?

Three Buddhas represent the eternal possibility of enlightenment across time: the past, the present, and the future. 

There are countless Buddhas in the vast cosmology, but these three Buddhas provide a framework for understanding the continuity of the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and the path to liberation for all sentient beings. They are:

• Dipankara Buddha: The Past Buddha
• Shakyamuni Buddha: The Present Buddha
• Maitreya Buddha: The Future Buddha
  

Together, they form what is often known as the Three Buddhas or Buddha Trinity, a sacred continuum of awakening.

1. Dipankara: The Past Buddha

In the distant past, countless eons before our time, there lived Dipankara Buddha, whose name means “The Luminous One” or “The Lamp Bearer.” He is revered as one of the earliest Buddhas who illuminated the path of awakening long before the appearance of Shakyamuni Buddha.

According to ancient scriptures, Dipankara once encountered a young ascetic named Sumedha, who laid his hair on the muddy ground for Dipankara to walk upon. Seeing this act of devotion, Dipankara foretold that Sumedha would one day become Gautama Buddha, the Enlightened One of our present world.

Symbolism and Iconography

• Symbol: The lamp or light, representing the wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance.
• Color: Golden radiance, symbolizing clarity and continuity.
• Mudra: Often shown holding a Dharma wheel or in a gesture of teaching (Dharmachakra Mudra).

Dipankara Buddha embodies ancestral wisdom, the light passed down through ages of practice and realization.

2. Shakyamuni: The Present Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha, born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal), is the historical Buddha who walked the earth around the 6th century BCE. His enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya marks the awakening that renewed the Dharma in this age. 

His teachings, like the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Middle Way, formed the foundation of all Buddhist schools today. He represents the present moment of awakening, urging us to turn inward and discover the Buddha nature already within.

Symbolism and Iconography

• Mudra: Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth-touching gesture), signifying the moment he called the Earth to witness his enlightenment.
• Color: Golden or yellow, symbolizing compassion and grounded wisdom.
• Posture: Seated in meditation beneath the Bodhi Tree, calm and unwavering.

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Shakyamuni Buddha represents the ever-present Buddha, the guide of this age, a living embodiment of compassion and truth.

3. Maitreya: The Future Buddha

Looking forward through the cycles of time, we meet Maitreya (Future Buddha), the Buddha who is yet to come. His name means “the Benevolent” or “the Loving One.”

It is said that when the teachings of Shakyamuni completely fade from human memory, Maitreya will descend from Tushita Heaven, be born among humans, and once again turn the Wheel of Dharma, renewing wisdom and compassion on Earth.

Symbolism and Iconography

• Posture: Seated upright on a lion throne, both feet on the ground, ready to stand and begin teaching.
• Color: White or light gold, representing purity and hope.
• Attributes: A stupa in his crown, symbolizing his readiness to continue the Dharma lineage.

His mantra, “Om Maitreya Maha Maitreya Maitreya Arya Soha.” It is believed that reciting his mantra opens the heart to loving-kindness and nurtures the seed of compassion that will blossom into future enlightenment.

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Maitreya’s presence represents hope and spiritual renewal, the reminder that compassion will always return to the world. 

Interpretations Across Buddhist Traditions

The Theravada tradition focuses on historical Buddhas of the past and future (Dipankara and Maitreya), emphasizing moral cultivation and faith in the future awakening. 

In the Mahayana tradition, the three Buddhas are perceived as the manifestations of the timeless Buddha nature, the eternal presence of awakening throughout time and space. 

The Vajrayana tradition integrates them into mandala and lineage thangkas, associating them with the energies of wisdom, compassion, and enlightened activity. 

In Tibetan thangka art, the three Buddhas are not just representations of time; they are energies of the awakened mind that guide meditation and visualization practices. 

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 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the three Buddhas in Buddhism? 

The three Buddhas in Buddhism refer to the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. These three Buddhas represent the continuous presence of enlightened beings across time, symbolizing wisdom from the past, teachings in the present, and hope for future awakening. 

• Dipankara Buddha (Past Buddha): An ancient Buddha who lived countless eons ago, known for predicting the future enlightenment of Shakyamuni.
• Shakyamuni Buddha (Present Buddha): Also known as Gautama Buddha, he is the historical Buddha who taught the Dharma in our current era.
• Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha): The Buddha who is believed to appear in the future when the teachings of Shakyamuni have faded. 

2. Are the three Buddhas the same as the Five Dhyani Buddhas?

No. The Three Buddhas and the Five Dhyani Buddhas are not the same. The Three Buddhas refer to Dipankara Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha, as they represent time and historical continuity.

The Five Dhyani Buddhas are the symbolic, meditational Buddhas in Vajrayana Buddhism representing five aspects of enlightened wisdom. They are Vairocana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. 

3. Why is Maitreya called the Future Buddha?

Maitreya is called the Future Buddha because Buddhist teachings state that he will be the next Buddha to appear on earth. He currently resides in the Tushita Heaven as a bodhisattva, perfecting the qualities needed to guide future beings.

According to the scriptures, when Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings have fully declined and the world is ready for a new cycle of Dharma, Maitreya will be reborn as a human, attain enlightenment, and teach the path once again. His title reflects the promise of future awakening, compassion, and the continuation of the Buddha’s wisdom for generations to come.