All the major religions expect 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 these as different names for the same individual ― Maitreya, the World Teacher ― and they look for his imminent return now, at the head of his group of Masters of Wisdom. They are people like us, who have gone before us in evolution and who have always guided and inspired humanity from behind the scenes.
Preferring to be known simply as the Teacher, Maitreya has not come as a religious leader, but as an educator in the broadest sense ― pointing the way out of humanity's most critical problems.
At this time of great political, economic, and social crisis, Maitreya will inspire humanity to see itself as one family, and create a civilization based on sharing, economic and social justice, and global cooperation.

http://www.shareintl.org/index.htm

Maitreya does not intend to build a new religion around himself, nor to create followers, but to teach humanity "the art of Self-realization." The first steps are "honesty of mind, sincerity of spirit, and detachment."
Maitreya's social concerns are reflected in his list of priorities: an adequate supply of the right food, adequate housing for all, healthcare and education as universal rights. His social message can be summarized in a few words: "Share and save the world." Maitreya knows we will accept his message and that we are on the threshold of an era of peace and goodwill.

In recent years, information about Maitreya's emergence has come primarily from Benjamin Creme, a British artist and author who has been speaking and writing about this event since 1974. According to Creme, Maitreya descended in July 1977 from his ancient retreat in the Himalayas and took up residence in the Indian-Pakistani community of London. He has been living and working there, seemingly as an ordinary man, his true status known to relatively few. Maitreya has been emerging gradually into full public view so as not to infringe humanity's free will.
As a modern man concerned with today's problems, Maitreya has worked on many levels since 1977 to prepare humanity for his outward presence. From behind the scenes, the outpouring of his extraordinary energy has been the stimulus for dramatic changes on many fronts, including the fall of communism in the Soviet Union, the end of apartheid in South Africa, the rapprochement between East and West, the growing strength of the people's voice in many countries, and the worldwide focus on preserving the environment.


Message No. 1 September 6, 1977
My dear friends, it will not be long until you see My face.
When that time comes I shall take your hands in mine and lead you to Him Whom we serve together.
My Manifestation is complete and accomplished. I am, verily, in the world.
Soon you shall know Me, perhaps follow Me and love Me. My Love flows ever through you all. And that Love, which I hold for all mankind, has brought Me here.
My brothers and sisters, My Return to the world is a signal that the New Age, as you call it, has commenced. In this coming time, I shall show you beauties and wonders beyond your imaginings, but which are your birthright as sons of God. My children, My friends, I have come more quickly, perhaps, than you expected. But there is much to do, much that needs changing in the world. Many hunger and die, many suffer needlessly.
I come to change all that; to show you the way forward ---- into a simpler, saner, happier life ---- together. No longer man against man, nation against nation, but together, as brothers, shall we go forth into the New Country. And those who are ready shall see the Father’s face.
May the Divine Love and Light and Power of the One God be now manifest within your hearts and minds. May this Light and Love and Power lead you to seek That which dwells always in your heart’s centre. Find That, and make It manifest.

Message 140: "Take My hand and let Me lead you to God."

This is the hand of Maitreya, portrayed on a mirror in a bathroom in Barcelona. The lady-owner went into the guest bathroom and saw a handprint on the mirror and cleaned it off. She thought no more about it. A few days later when she went into her own bathroom she saw the same handprint on the mirror. Luckily, instead of wiping it off, she got in touch with her son, a co-worker in the Share International group in Barcelona. He took a picture of it and sent it to Benjamin Creme and has been confirmed it is the hand of Maitreya.

It is a fantastic hand. It is ‘real’, three-dimensional in appearance, similar to the print on the Turin Shroud of the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. The image also has extraordinary healing properties, but not in the way you might think. In the case of the healing waters Maitreya has magnetized all over the world, the water itself is imbued with energy from the constellation Aquarius. However, in the case of the image of Maitreya’s hand, the energy does not reside in the photo, but is invoked from Maitreya when you place your hand over the image or simply look at it. You are, in effect, calling forth his healing or blessing or help – whatever is possible within the karmic law. The same effect can be produced even with a photocopy of the image.