All the great religions posit the idea of a further revelation to be given by a future Teacher. Christians hope for the return of the Christ, the Buddhists look for the coming of another Buddha (the Lord Maitreya), while Muslims await the Imam Mahdi, the Hindus a reincarnation of Krishna, and the Jews the Messiah.
     Students of the esoteric tradition know all these as different names for the same individual -- the Lord Maitreya, the World Teacher, the head of the Spiritual Hierarchy of Masters, and they look for His imminent return now.
     In the esoteric tradition, the word 'Christ' is not the name of an individual, but of an office or function within the Hierarchy of Masters. The present holder of that office, Maitreya, the Master of all the Masters, has been the Christ for the past 2,600 years.

     In July 1977, Maitreya emerged from His center in the Himalayas, when least expected, 'like a thief in the night'. Since then, He has lived in London as an ordinary man concerned with modern problems -- political, economic, and social. Since March 1978, He has been emerging as a spokesman in the Pakistani-Indian community. He is not a religious leader, but an educator in the broadest sense -- pointing the way out of the present world crisis. According to the esoteric teaching, Maitreya manifested Himself 2,000 years ago in Palestine by overshadowing His disciple Jesus -- now the Master Jesus.
     Maitreya's spiritual teaching: Maitreya intends to teach humanity the "art of Self-realization". The first steps are "honesty of mind, sincerity of spirit and detachment".
     Maitreya's social concern is reflected in His list of priorities: an adequate supply of the right food, adequate housing and shelter for all, health care and education as a universal right. His social message can be summarized in a few words: "Share and save the world."

     The preparations for His public emergence have now been completed. Since late 1991, Maitreya is carrying out a series of appearances. On June 11, 1988, He appeared miraculously, "out of the blue," at a prayer/healing meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. He was photographed addressing thousands of people who instantly recognized Him as the Christ. Similar events have now been witnessed by large numbers in different countries. In this way, more and more people receive proof of His presence and, hopefully, in due course will demand media response. Maitreya expects this approach to lead to the Day of Declaration, when He will mentally 'overshadow' all of humanity simultaneously. Each of us will hear His words inwardly, telepathically, in our own language,and all will know that the World Teacher is now among us.