The goal of every Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist, generally speaking, *before* crossing into paradise is to
achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This encompasses several interconnected aspects:
* Cultivating Bodhicitta: This is the altruistic aspiration to attain Buddhahood for the sake of all beings. It's the central motivation driving all their practices.
* Accumulating Merit and Wisdom: Through virtuous actions (merit) and the development of insight into the nature of reality (wisdom), they purify negative karma and create the conditions for realization.
* Purifying Negative Karma: Through practices like confession, repentance, and Vajrasattva practice, they aim to cleanse themselves of negative actions and obscurations.
* Perfecting the Six Paramitas: These are the six perfections: generosity, ethical conduct, patience, enthusiastic perseverance, concentration, and wisdom. Cultivating these qualities is essential on the path to enlightenment.
* Realizing Emptiness (Sunyata): Gaining a direct understanding of the emptiness of inherent existence is crucial for liberating oneself from attachment and grasping.
* Training in the Generation and Completion Stages (for Vajrayana practitioners): These are advanced practices involving visualization, mantra, and working with subtle energies to transform one's body, speech, and mind.
It's important to emphasize that crossing into a "paradise" or pure land is not the ultimate goal, but a means to an end. While rebirth in a pure land like Dewachen (Sukhavati) is considered a highly favorable condition for continuing one's practice towards enlightenment, the ultimate aspiration remains Buddhahood for the benefit of all. Rebirth in Dewachen is pursued because it offers a supportive environment with minimal distractions and direct guidance from a Buddha, making it easier to progress towards enlightenment.
So, while specific practices and emphasis might vary between different schools and individuals, the underlying goal remains consistent: to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, and to benefit beings along the way, even within a "paradise."