There also appeared the cult of Maitreya, who, it was believed, would appear as a savior in the future. “Maitreya” is derived from the Sanskrit mitra (friend); Mithra (Mitra) was an ancient Iranian and Indian deity whose cult extended to Greece and Egypt. Maitreya the benevolent savior, it was believed, would appear in the world after 5,670,000,000 years. At present dwelling in Tuṣita Heaven, Maitreya would cause those with faith in him either to ascend to Tuṣita Heaven directly and be reborn there or to remain in the world to await his coming.