Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!udel!princeton!phoenix!jpl-devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV
From: aloise@jpl-devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV (Jim Aloise)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Nirvana
Message-ID: <7467@jpl-devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV>
Date: 19 Mar 90 20:59:06 GMT
References: <14668@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>
Sender: mukund@phoenix.Princeton.EDU
Reply-To: aloise@jpl-devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV (Jim Aloise)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Lines: 12
Approved: mukund@phoenix.Princeton.EDU

>I just wanted to point out that in some sects of Buddhism, the Buddha,
>while having the option to check out of the daily grind, may (and perhaps
>must, compelled by the strong element of compassion inherent in the
>concept of becoming enlightened) choose to continue with the cycle of
>birth and death voluntarily, in order to teach those of us who continue
>to suffer how to become enlightened (I believe that most sects of
>Buddhism hold that all equally possess the potential for enlightenment).


Maybe not a matter of choice or compassion, but where any being is
still enslaved, there the Buddha is still enslaved. His own liberation is not
yet complete.