Depending on the culture and tradition of Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha has been depicted in a variety of ways.

Some cultures show Maitreya as the Laughing Buddha. The Vajrayana tradition shows Maitreya wearing many beautiful ornaments, while other traditions show Maitreya in a simple form, either standing or sitting.

So that the 500 ft/ 152m Maitreya Project Buddha will be recognizable and appealing to many traditions, it will be depicted in the simple form, without ornaments, wearing monk’s robes and sitting on a throne with a lotus cushion under Maitreya’s feet. The hands of the 500 ft/ 152m Maitreya Buddha will show the gestures of teaching and giving.

In the Maitreya Temple, which will be inside the Throne Building of the 500 ft/ 152m Maitreya Buddha statue, there will be another statue of Maitreya, 40ft/12m tall, and this one will be shown with beautiful ornaments.

A large statue of the Laughing Buddha, will be built in the Maitreya Project Park. This form of Maitreya is said to be laughing because of the great joy he has in relieving living beings from their suffering.