Thanks for your help and suggestions. For the purposes of my thesis, I am
defining grace as "a gift or favor given by a representative of ultimate
reality without regard to the recipient's virtue and without which ultimate
liberation would not be possible." Many religious traditions embrace a
concept of grace in this sense. There does not need to be a god or God to
have a concept of grace. Grace needs not to be a technical term monopolized
by Christian theology. I am arguing here, however, that buddhas are special
beings and possess abilities and qualities not possessed by human beings or
even by devas.

The concept of grace (as defined above) was brought to my attention while
reading Peter Masefield's excellent book, Divine Revelation in Pali
Buddhism. I guess my question in terms of grace is whether or not anyone
else has come across other resources which explore the idea that a buddha is
an essential element for Dharma to be transmitted to others.

Thanks Nina for the info on kamma. It appears that kamma is operative
regardless whereas grace can only occur when a buddha is present in the
world to reveal the Dharma to those ready to hear it. Also, I am
distinguishing between the concept of grace and that of compassion. For
something to be "grace," rather than just simply "compassion," it must lead
to assured ultimate liberation.

Danya


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