As opposed to 上生信仰, which is similar to the Pure Land Faith, 下生信仰 is a kind of eschatology and a hope for the savior's appearance such as that this world should be changed in accordance with Miroku's appearance (下生).
浄土信仰に類した上生信仰に対して、下生信仰の方は、弥勒下生に合わせて現世を変革しなければならないという終末論、救世主待望論的な要素が強い。