Maitreya

Kushan, 2d century
Ahichhatra
Delhi National Museum, India.

Maitreya is the Buddha of the future. His hand is raised in abhaya mudra ("Fear Not"). He is portrayed as a bodhisattva, as shown by his jewelry (necklace and earrings), because he is currently waiting his turn in the Tushita Heaven, which he rules, and he will not become a Buddha until he is reborn on earth at the end of the present cosmic cycle. His appearance on earth will signal a new Golden Age, as his benevolent expression seems to indicate.