We aim to become a Buddha in the long run. . . . We've had many romantic relationships in our beginningless infinite lifetimes; they are nothing new. But we've never had pure love that is completely free from attachment, a kind of love that spreads to each and every sentient being and doesn't vacillate according to how sentient beings treat us. Let's try and develop such a quality — that's really doing something interesting, new, and exciting, not to mention highly meaningful. Attaining full enlightenment is an incredibly valuable, useful thing to do in life.
— Thubten Chodron, Cultivating a Compassionate Heart