This account differs from Nabby's. by Lama Yeshe from Mandala Magazine: ... " For seven days Maitreya will follow the ascetic way of life, refraining from all food and drink. Then, upon arising from a state of deep meditative concentration, he will receive a bowl of milk from his wife Dawa’i Tongchen. Refreshed, he will assume the vajra crossed-legged posture and make the firm determination not to rise from meditation until he has achieved enlightenment. That evening he will defeat all demonic interferences and negative forces (Mara) and in the middle of the night will enter a state of profound meditative absorption. Finally, with the rising sun the following morning, Maitreya – who in fact achieved full enlightenment many eons before – will demonstrate for the sake of his fortunate disciples the attainment of complete and perfect buddhahood. Then, in the same manner as all the buddhas of the past, present and future, he will lead countless beings out of suffering and along the path to full spiritual awakening. For seven weeks after his demonstration of enlightenment Maitreya will remain in silence, observing his future disciples. Then Indra, the king of the celestial beings, will present him with a golden wheel and the universally beautiful objects of the five senses and request him to turn the wheel of Dharma for the benefit of all. In response to this request Maitreya will teach the four noble truths, thereby leading many millions of disciples to liberation. During his long teaching career Maitreya will turn the wheel of great teachings three times and each time countless multitudes of disciples will come to listen. These teachings will be enormous events attracting not only human, Earth-born disciples but also many celestial beings, dakas, dakinis and beings from other realms, many of whom will immediately become arhats, bodhisattvas and even fully enlightened buddhas. Through the power of his holy body, speech and mind Maitreya will lead and satisfy all those gathered according to their individual needs and capacities, giving Hinayana teachings to some and Mahayana to others. In this way he will lead countless disciples through the three vehicles to liberation and enlightenment. Maitreya will remain for 60,000 years, providing direct spiritual guidance to his many disciples during his lifetime and, after he passes away, his teachings will last another 80,000 years, indirectly benefiting many more. Thus, through the power of his great, enlightened loving kindness, Maitreya will provide limitless benefit to countless mother sentient beings.
