Part of an advertisement for Benjamin Creme's 1994 visit to Australia
CRÈME and HIS CHRIST
(Investigator 228, 2026 May)
MAITREYA: INTRODUCTION
(Investigator 228, 2026 May)
MAITREYA: INTRODUCTION
From 1988 until his death Benjamin Crème (1922-2016), a major
figure in the New Age movement, taught that Christ in the form of
Maitreya is appearing and lecturing to small groups of people all over
the world.
Crème initially predicted that Maitreya would on the "day of
declaration", which was before June 21, 1982, reveal himself on
television to all nations. The Advertiser (February 13, 1982, p. 24)
for example reported Crème as teaching: "before June 21, the end
of the northern spring, he will reveal who he is on the "day of
declaration" on which he will speak on television to all nations, and
every nation will hear him in its own language."
Thereafter Maitreya would be the "world teacher".
Thereafter Maitreya would be the "world teacher".
It didn't happen.
In 1988 many alleged small-scale appearances of Maitreya to religious
people began to be reported all over the world as preparation for his
global public "emergence". The pamphlet The Emergence regularly
reported Maitreya's alleged appearances. Investigator (editions #27 to
#40) occasionally reprinted extracts from it.
The following is from The Emergence July 1995:
Maitreya appeared on 30 April in Russia. The city was, again, Moscow.
Reaction good. On 14 May, Maitreya appeared to 600-700 Catholics in
Santander, Spain. He spoke for 15 minutes. Water was charged in the
area. Reaction mixed.
On 21 May, Maitreya appeared in Volsk, Russia, and spoke for 17-18 minutes to 300-400 Orthodox Christians. Water was charged in the area. Reaction mixed.
On 28 May, Maitreya appeared in Sydney, Australia, to 300 Fundamentalist Christians and spoke for 18 minutes. Photographs were taken. Water was charged in the area. Reaction of the people — very frightened.
On 21 May, Maitreya appeared in Volsk, Russia, and spoke for 17-18 minutes to 300-400 Orthodox Christians. Water was charged in the area. Reaction mixed.
On 28 May, Maitreya appeared in Sydney, Australia, to 300 Fundamentalist Christians and spoke for 18 minutes. Photographs were taken. Water was charged in the area. Reaction of the people — very frightened.
On 4 June, Maitreya appeared in the USA.
The same page answers the question "Does Maitreya eat ... like a normal person?"
No. He does not need to eat. He can eat if the social circumstances demand it; a little bit of rice, for example...
He can appear and disappear at will, which He does all the time. He can be in any part of the world by thought. He can appear in different places simultaneously.
He can appear and disappear at will, which He does all the time. He can be in any part of the world by thought. He can appear in different places simultaneously.
Of Maitreya's hundreds of alleged appearances only one is supported
with published photos. This was in Nairobi, Kenya, June 11, 1988, to 6000 people, and a photo was published in the Kenya Times
on June 22. Colored copies, revealing Maitreya as being dark-skinned
similar to the Kenyans around him, were sent to recipients of Share
International a magazine published by Crème's organization. The
July 1994 edition had additional black & white photos.
"Water charged" during Maitreya's appearances referred to being charged with spiritual energy. This meant that:
• The water in that area had been magnetized.
• It now carried healing, uplifting or transformative energy.
• Only spiritually sensitive people would notice it.
• It now carried healing, uplifting or transformative energy.
• Only spiritually sensitive people would notice it.
The effect was temporary and invisible. There was no physical or
chemical change; nothing that any scientific test could detect:
"Drinking the water could bring healing or inner calm ... for a limited
time. Only those 'open' to Maitreya's energy would feel
anything."
Crème apparently accepted the whole gamut of paranormal New Age
beliefs popular with New Agers, including reincarnation, Atlantis, miraculous healings, UFOs, cloud apparitions, an
imminent new world, etc. He acted as Maitreya's spokesman:
"At the
beginning and end of every lecture, Benjamin Crème is
overshadowed by Maitreya who transmits His energies through him to the
audience. Many people report having seen Crème surrounded by a
brilliant halo of light..." (Share International, Special Information
Issue, c.1990, p. 27).
Most of Crème's teachings are weird and esoteric, out of touch
with modern science. Humans, we are told, began as mindless "animal
men" 21 million years ago, received minds from "Beings ... from Venus"
who arrived 18½ million years ago, and became "Lemurians"
living on Lemuria a continent now under the Indian Ocean, and
escaped to Atlantis 12 million years ago and founded the Atlantean
race." Any student who writes stuff like this for a science exam will
not score well.
About 34 years have passed since Investigator first reported about
Maitreya, and Crème is long deceased. So where is Crème's
Christ now?
Like the Christ of the Russellites (now Jehovah's Witnesses) who failed to show in 1874 but
allegedly stuck around invisibly, Crème's Christ never finished his
"Emergence" but allegedly influences current events invisibly.
Not only was there no world-wide public "Emergence", with all the world
acknowledging Maitreya as the "world teacher", but the local
appearances, regularly reported for decades by Crème, are probably imaginary.
Only one, the Nairobi appearance, has seeming verification.
HISTORY OF A NON-APPEARANCE
By Copilot
By Copilot
1. Benjamin Crème repeatedly announced that Maitreya was about to appear
Crème claimed that Maitreya moved to London on 19 July 1977 and
would soon reveal himself. Over the decades he issued multiple
predictions of an imminent public emergence, culminating in the
promised “Day of Declaration” when Maitreya would speak to the world
telepathically.
Outcome: None of these predicted events materialized.
2. Share International continued to assert that Maitreya was active—but privately
Share International publications maintained that:
• Maitreya was giving interviews anonymously
• He was influencing world events invisibly
• His public emergence was still "soon"
Today, Share International continues to speak of Maitreya’s presence as
a current but hidden reality, not a completed public revelation.
The narrative shifted from imminent public appearance to ongoing behind the scenes influence.
The narrative shifted from imminent public appearance to ongoing behind the scenes influence.
3. Benjamin Crème died in 2016 without the emergence occurring but still affirming it was imminent.
• Share International continued his message
• No successor claimed direct contact with Maitreya
• No public emergence occurred
The movement persisted, but the central prophecy remained unfulfilled.
4. No independent evidence ever surfaced
• No public figure matching Crème’s descriptions appeared
• No global broadcast or "Day of Declaration" occurred
• No verifiable statements from Maitreya were produced
Share International attributes the delay to humanity's "lack of
readiness." The observable pattern, which is common to other
millenarian movements when predictions fail, consisted of:
• Repeated postponement of prophetic timelines
• Reframing failed predictions as spiritual processes
• Maintaining belief through non-falsifiable but untestable claims (e.g. "Maitreya works
anonymously")
The predicted global revelation of Maitreya never happened.
Crème died still predicting it, and Share International
continues to affirm it.
Major Predictions and Postponements (1959–2016)
Here is a chronology of Benjamin Crème's major announcements and postponements regarding Maitreya's public emergence.
1959 — Benjamin Crème claims he is contacted by a Master of
Wisdom who tells him that the "World Teacher" (Maitreya) will soon
return.
1972–1974 — Crème states he is instructed to begin preparing the public for Maitreya’s imminent appearance.
1972–1974 — Crème states he is instructed to begin preparing the public for Maitreya’s imminent appearance.
1975–1977: The First Timelines
• 1975 — Crème publicly announces that the Christ/Maitreya is already in the "modern world"
and preparing to emerge.
• 1977 (early) — Crème predicts the emergence will occur "very soon" possibly within
months.
• 19 July 1977 — Crème later claims Maitreya physically arrived in London on this date and
took up residence in the Asian community.
1978–1981: The First Public Campaign and Postponement
• 1978 — Crème begins international lectures predicting an imminent appearance.
• 1979 — Crème announces that Maitreya has begun contacting world leaders privately.
• 1980 — Crème predicts that Maitreya will appear publicly "within months."
• April 1982 — Crème takes out full page ads in major newspapers worldwide declaring:
"The Christ is now here" and will appear on television "within weeks."
• June–December 1982 — No appearance occurs. Crème announces that humanity's "lack
of readiness" delayed the event.
1983–1989: Revised Timelines and Anonymous Interviews
• 1983–1985 — Crème repeatedly states that Maitreya's emergence is "imminent," but gives
no date.
• 1986 — Crème claims Maitreya is giving "anonymous interviews" to journalists.
• 1988 — Crème predicts that Maitreya will soon give his first public interview under his own
name.
• 1989 — Crème announces that Maitreya has begun influencing world events behind the
scenes.
1990–1997: The "Day of Declaration" Promised
• 1990 — Crème states that Maitreya will soon appear on television and that the "Day of
Declaration" will follow shortly after.
• 1991–1993 — Multiple predictions that the first public interview is "very near."
• 1995 — Crème claims Maitreya is preparing to speak openly "within months."
• 1996–1997 — Crème asserts that global tensions are delaying the emergence.
1998–2001: Renewed Predictions
• 1998 — Crème states that Maitreya will appear "as soon as humanity calls for justice and
sharing."
• 1999 — Crème predicts that the new millennium will accelerate Maitreya's emergence.
• 2000–2001 — Crème says Maitreya is ready to appear publicly but is waiting for "the right
moment."
2002–2009: The "Anonymous Media Interviews" Era
• 2002 — Crème claims Maitreya has begun giving interviews anonymously on major media
outlets.
• 2003–2005 — Crème predicts that Maitreya will soon reveal his identity during one of these
interviews.
• 2006–2008 — Crème states that Maitreya is influencing world events through "energy
transmission."
• 2009 — Crème announces that Maitreya has given his first television interview in the
United States anonymously and more will follow.
2010–2014: The Final Predictions
• 2010 — Crème predicts that Maitreya will soon declare himself openly.
• 2011–2012 — Crème states that the world economic crisis is preparing humanity for
Maitreya's message.
• 2013–2014 — Crème repeats that the emergence is "imminent," but gives no date.
2015–2016: The Last Postponements
• 2015 — Crème states that Maitreya is ready to appear publicly "as soon as humanity is
ready."
• 2016 — Crème dies (24 October, 2016) still affirming that Maitreya’s public emergence is
imminent.
Post 2016:
• Share International continues to assert that Maitreya is active behind the scenes.
• No successor claims direct contact.
• No public appearance, no Day of Declaration, and no verifiable evidence ever materialized
THE 1988 EVENT and the KENYA TIMES
According to Share International Maitreya appeared publicly at a
religious gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, 11 June, 1988. The
event was reported in the now defunct Kenya Times of June 22,
1988. The story went international.
The original news report is copyright but Copilot consulted sources that quote from it and provided the following reconstruction:
The original news report is copyright but Copilot consulted sources that quote from it and provided the following reconstruction:
KENYA TIMES, Wednesday 22 June 1988
|
By Job Mutungi
Crowds at a prayer meeting in Kawangware were left astonished on
Saturday when a mysterious, white robed man appeared without warning,
addressed the gathering in fluent Swahili, and departed as suddenly as
he had come.
The incident occurred at a healing service conducted by Mary Sinaida
Akatsa, leader of the "Communion Church" prayer group in Muslim
Village, Kawangware, where an estimated 6,000 worshippers had
assembled. Witnesses described a tense but expectant atmosphere as the
service progressed, with many in the crowd seeking healing or prophetic
messages.
According to those present, the gathering was interrupted when a tall, barefooted, white robed and bearded man appeared from nowhere and stood in the middle of the crowd. Several worshippers gasped, while others began shouting that "Jesus has come!" Akatsa herself reportedly paused mid sermon, appearing momentarily taken aback before stepping aside to allow the stranger to speak.
The man, described as calm and radiant, addressed the crowd in clear
Swahili, which had no trace of accent. His voice, according to
witnesses, carried effortlessly across the open field.
He told the assembled worshippers that the people of Kenya were blessed, and urged them to remain steadfast in prayer and compassion. He spoke of a coming time of spiritual renewal, saying that "we are nearing the time for the reign of heaven." He added that he would return again, promising “a bucketful of blessings for all of you.” The address lasted approximately 18 minutes, during which the crowd remained unusually silent. Several worshippers later said they felt "a strange peace" or "a powerful presence" during the speech. When he finished, the man walked slowly toward the road, where a motorist, Mr. Gurnam Singh, offered him a ride. Singh later told this reporter that the stranger entered his vehicle without hesitation and asked to be dropped near the Kawangware bus terminus. Singh said that after stepping out of the car, the man walked a few paces along the roadside — and then, in Singh’s words, "simply vanished into thin air." Back at the prayer ground, confusion and excitement spread rapidly. Some worshippers wept openly; others fell to their knees in prayer. Akatsa reportedly told the crowd that the appearance was a sign of divine favour for Kenya. Local authorities said they had received no reports of disturbances, and no official investigation has been announced. For now, the identity of the mysterious visitor remains unknown. But for the thousands who witnessed the event, the memory of the robed stranger's sudden appearance — and disappearance — is unlikely to fade soon. |
Analysis of the Nairobi Event (by Copilot)
Although Share International often refers to a "June 11, 1988 Kenya
Times article", the actual publication date was Wednesday, 22 June 1988
(Vol. 2, No. 111).
Setting
• Location: Muslim Village, Kawangware, Nairobi
• Event: A healing prayer meeting led by Mary Sinaida Akatsa
• Attendance: Approximately 6,000 people
Appearance of the Figure
• A tall, barefoot, white-robed, bearded man appeared "from nowhere"
• Witnesses immediately identified him as Jesus Christ
• Mutungi describes strange light around the figure's head and body
The Message
• The figure spoke for 18 minutes in fluent, accentless Swahili
• He declared Kenya "blessed"
• He promised to return with "a bucketful of blessings"
Departure
• He accepted a ride from Mr. Gurnam Singh
• After being dropped near a bus terminus, he allegedly walked a few steps and vanished
into thin air
Mutungi's Tone
• The article is written in a straightforward, eyewitness-reporting style
• It does not explicitly endorse supernatural claims but reports them as witnessed
Identification with Maitreya
• The crowd called the figure "Jesus Christ.”
• The Kenya Times article (June 22) also described him as Jesus, never "Maitreya."
• No one at or immediately after the event used the name "Maitreya."
Late June 1988 — Share International reports the event, but cautiously
• "An appearance of the Christ in Nairobi"
• "A manifestation consistent with Maitreya's work"
July 1988 — First explicit public claim "The man of Nairobi was Maitreya" appears in Share International magazine.
From late 1988 onward, all Share International materials consistently refer to:
• "Maitreya's appearance in Nairobi"
• "Maitreya addressing 6,000 people in Kenya"
• "The Nairobi appearance of Maitreya"
A SKEPTICAL VIEW
At an emotionally charged religious meeting with hymns and prayers for
healing Mary Sinaida Akatsa, a prominent local preacher/healer,
interrupted a hymn to announce God had just told her "a very important
guest would be coming."
Minutes later a tall, barefoot, bearded, man in white-robe and turban
arrived, joined Mary Akatsa and gave a speech. There were some
loud whispers of "Jesus, Jesus" but photos don't show the
crowd overawed as if seeing a figure from heaven. Except when he stands
next to Akatsa most seem to ignore him. We don't see what Crème
writes that, "The crowds prostrated themselves, overcome with emotion
... raised up their hands in divine welcome."
Crème did not predict this event in advance. But after the Kenya
Times story appeared, he announced that the figure was Maitreya in a
"self-created body".
Copilot says:
• Outside Share International, the event is generally interpreted as:
• A local religious phenomenon centered on Mary Akatsa's healing ministry
• Possibly involving a charismatic visitor or staged appearance
• Amplified by the Kenya Times, which was running a circulation-boosting campaign
• No independent evidence supports supernatural elements, vanishing, or global significance
• The article was uncritical, and lacked the photographer's name, eyewitness interviews,
follow-up reporting and independent verification
• Share International retroactively described the event as miraculous, but the original article
did not
• The phrase "water was charged in the area" appears only in Crème's later retellings, not in
the newspaper.
• Most plausible interpretation
• A local preacher or healer in white robes photographed at a Christian revival meeting,
photos printed in low-quality newsprint, later reinterpreted by Share International as a
supernatural event.
A skeptical view agrees with Copilot. Probable is that the mystery visit was by prearrangement and collusion between Akatsa, the mystery visitor, the car-owner who whisked him away, and the reporter. Crème later opportunistically seized upon the event and reinterpreted it to support his doctrine.
https://share-international.org/in-depth/signs/maitreya-in-nairobi/Maitreya in Nairobi
(BS)