<p>This question (more or less) was asked a year ago. I recently gave a <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10853/5715">fairly fully answer to it</a>. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-19T12:19:18.817Z
2015-08-19T12:19:18.817Z
2017-04-13T12:51:05.990Z
Jayarava
<p>I've read that one understanding of Bodhisattvas is that they postpone their enlightenment until all sentient beings have entered Nirvana? That's always struck me as odd. Why would this be necessary? Surely the Buddha was enlightened and he worked for the benefit of all beings too. Or is that an incorrect understanding of what a Bodhisattva is?</p>

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2015-08-19T13:00:50.593Z
added mahayana tag as this question is in such a context.
Ryan
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2015-08-19T13:25:45.000Z
Is this a duplicate of "[Does Mahayana Buddhism discourage attaining enlightenment under the Gautama Buddha Sasana?](http://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/2341/254)"?
ChrisW
<mahayana><nirvana><bodhisattva>
Why do Bodhisattvas postpone enlightenment?
# Why do Bodhisattvas postpone enlightenment?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-19)

I've read that one understanding of Bodhisattvas is that they postpone their enlightenment until all sentient beings have entered Nirvana? That's always struck me as odd. Why would this be necessary? Surely the Buddha was enlightened and he worked for the benefit of all beings too. Or is that an incorrect understanding of what a Bodhisattva is?

**Tags:** mahayana, nirvana, bodhisattva

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: added mahayana tag as this question is in such a context.  
> **username_2**: Is this a duplicate of "[Does Mahayana Buddhism discourage attaining enlightenment under the Gautama Buddha Sasana?](http://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/2341/254)"?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-08-19. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

This question (more or less) was asked a year ago. I recently gave a [fairly fully answer to it](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/10853/5715).


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