For those who can see, the outlines of the Universal Temple of the Lord of Love are definite and on the verge of precipitation. From the spiritual center of divine energy pours forth the inspiration bringing fresh revelation, fresh hope, and a fresh incentive towards a fuller spiritual living. From this approach the great reciprocal concepts of freedom, the dream of brotherhood, of fellowship, of world cooperation and of a peace based on right human relations is an inspired testimony.
From this inspiration likewise, the idea of the Sangha arises. The Sanskrit word “sangha” denotes a “spiritual community.” The appellation, “Maitreya,” means “Loving One,” from the Sanskrit, maître, meaning radiant love and kindness. Therefore, Maitreya Sangha denotes a spiritual community of love.
The sphere of activity of the Maitreya (called by Christians, the Christ, and by Moslems, the Imam Mahdi—for it is the same Spiritual Identity) is essentially in the human heart—in all circumstances and places of the world—and not in some stone edifice or ecclesiastical pomp or external authority.
What is this Sangha of Maitreya? Essentially it is constituted of all those in whom the life of the Maitreya (or Christ)—or what has been called the “Christ Consciousness”—is to be found or is process of finding expression. It is the aggregate of all those who love their fellowmen, because to love one’s fellowmen is the divine faculty that makes us fuller members of the Sangha of Maitreya. The citizens of the Kingdom of Souls are those who are deliberately seeking the light and attempting (through a self-imposed discipline) to stand before the One Initiator. The simple conviction required is that the soul is one with all souls, that divine revelation is continuous and ever new, and that the divine Plan is working itself out and can be consciously cooperated with.
Organised group forms of Maitreya Sangha exist and are operated by the members of the Lodges of Ancient Universal Mysteries. Their activities are freely given to all (donations accepted) and include Solar Fire Festivals at the periods of the Full Moon, ceremonial rituals at stated periods, esoteric teaching and study in the Ageless Wisdom, workshops, lectures by guest speakers, occasional conferences, and activities to support and further the spiritual progress in science, culture and the arts.
www.maitreyasangha.org