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1999 |
Share International
Founder: Benjamin Creme
HISTORYIn 1972, the Master began training Creme for his role as forerunner to the Christ.3 From 1975-1979, Creme spoke throughout Europe about the coming Christ who would fulfill all religions' prophecies concerning a coming savior. This activity became increasingly important when the Christ, known as Maitreya, left his refuge in the Himalayas in July of 1977, and particularly when he began appearing to London's Indian-Pakistani community in March of 1978.4 Maitreya's most significant appearance allegedly occurred in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1988. Creme regularly displays a photograph taken when Maitreya miraculously appeared to a crowd of 6,000 at a prayer meeting. Maitreya vanished after speaking to the crowd in perfect Swahili for several minutes, allegedly leaving behind "some 30 or 40 witnesses" who had been completely healed of their illnesses.5 The Kenyan appearances have continued since 1991.6 Maitreya has appeared to many large groups since 1988 in such areas
as
Mexico, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czecho-slovakia, Romania, Scotland, Norway, the Middle East, North Africa, India and Pakistan. Near the majority of these appearances miraculous healing water will be found. This has already happened in Tlacote, near Mexico City, Düsseldorf in Germany and New Delhi in India. He will continue to do this until people begin to talk, the media take notice, and He becomes universally known. Maitreya will then be invited by the international media to speak directly to the entire world through the television networks linked together by satellites.7
Crème has made conflicting claims regarding Maitreya's recent appearances. In a recent source he claims that Maitreya's appearances have been limited to groups of fundamentalist Christians. This, according to Creme, explains why so few people have heard about the appearances: the fundamentalists have refused to talk about these inexplicable experiences.11 However, he has claimed in the past that Maitreya appeared to such world leaders as George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev in order to dispense advice.12 DOCTRINESJesus and the Christ: The identity and activity of the Christ is fundamental to Creme's concept of Maitreya. He writes, "Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ are not one and the same person. This is one of the most difficult claims for many Christians to accept in connection with Maitreya, the World Teacher."16 The Christ, instead of being a single messianic figure, is simply the head of the spiritual hierarchy known as the Masters of Wisdom [known in some New Age groups, such as the Church Universal and Triumphant, as the Ascended Masters]. During his term of office, the Christ is also known as the World Teacher and the Bodhisattva.17 The current head of the hierarchy is Maitreya. Two thousand years ago he manifested himself as the Christ in order to initiate the Age of Pisces.18 He now manifests himself in order to initiate the Age of Aquarius.19 Jesus the man was a fourth-degree initiate and disciple of the Masters of Wisdom. His previous incarnations included the biblical figures of Joshua, son of Nun, Isaiah, and Joshua from the book of Zechariah.20 In Palestine Jesus allowed himself to be used by Maitreya, being overshadowed by the consciousness of the Christ, which then used him to fulfill Maitreya's mission for the earth. Jesus' birth, baptism, transfiguration, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were thus six stages of initiation for the implementation of Maitreya's plan for world peace.21 Following Jesus' ascension he was reincarnated as Apollonius of Tyra, whose journeys in India are allegedly the source for the belief that Jesus did not die on the cross.22 Jesus, now known as Master Jesus, currently resides with Peter and John in Rome, and is attempting to reunite the Christian churches through a focus on Maitreya.23 Salvation: Salvation, according to Creme, is based on the Hindu principle of karma. Maitreya will teach humans over the next 2,300 years that they must live in adherence to the Law of Cause and Effect [karma] and the Law of Rebirth [reincarnation].24 Salvation, or freedom from rebirth, is attained through permeating the political, economic and social structures of the world with the principle of harmlessness in relationships.25 As people focus on relationships that involve no harm or discomfort for others, a new world of political and religious harmony will emerge, and the cycle of rebirth will be broken.26 Transmission Meditation: The Age of Aquarius, in which the synthesis of politics and religions is achieved, will be ushered in through extensive participation in transmission meditation. According to Creme, the Masters of Wisdom send their energies to the world through the chakras [energy centers located at points in each human body] of participants in transmission meditation. These participants repeat a Great Invocation in which they proclaim their desire to "let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth."27 Repeating the Great Invocation while focusing on the anja chakra [between then eyebrows] will enable the person to become a conduit for the energies of the Masters of Wisdom. Creme encourages everyone over the age of twelve to participate in transmission meditation.28 Ageless Wisdom: Creme claims that Ageless Wisdom, or esoteric philosophy, is the source for information about the future of humanity. Such Ageless Wisdom has been part of the oral religious traditions for thousands of years, and recently has been taught by such theosophists as Helena Blavatsky and Alice A. Bailey.29 Ageless Wisdom focuses upon the "science" of the evolutionary process in humanity and nature. All creation is composed of energy, and creation progresses through an increase in the energetic vibrations of humans and nature. Students of Ageless Wisdom learn how to increase these vibrations. Scripture: Crème believes the Bible to be inspired but errant. He claims that "the Bible is a deeply spiritual book, full of wisdom and guidance for those who read its pages," and yet also claims that "since its origin it has seen many editions and undergone numerous re-interpretations (sic)."30 The key to biblical interpretation is one's presuppositions and opinions. Crème takes Luke 12:57 to mean that each person should believe what seems right to them.31 The traditional Christian interpretation of scripture is thus valuable only if it results in a positive impression upon the reader. Prophecies: Maitreya, through Creme, has made numerous prophecies that have failed to occur. For example, in 1988 Creme predicted that Gorbachev would survive an assassination attempt, and that Prince Charles would soon be made the King of England.32 Creme's most notable failed prophecy involved the Day of Declaration, when Maitreya will allegedly reveal himself to the world. Crème predicted that this would occur between April and June of 1982. In an advertisement in several prominent newspapers that cost him over $500,000, Creme predicted that Maitreya would be seen on television, heard on the radio, and that the World Teacher would communicate telepathically with all humans.33 An investigation of the London slum which Creme claims as Maitreya's home revealed no evidence of the Christ's presence, despite Creme's assertion that Maitreya was speaking to crowds of up to 500 each Saturday in 1982.34 BIBLICAL RESPONSEIn direct contrast to Creme's attack upon the authority of Scripture, the Bible also testifies to its own trustworthiness.37 Jesus is Christ at birth, not obtained later in life.38 Jesus is the only begotten.39 Christians are to ignore the teachings of false prophets.40
1 "Benjamin Creme Biography," [Online]. URL http://www.shareintl.org/cremebio.html.
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