The Way and the Goal

There's no sharp distinction in Buddhism between the means and the goal.

The personal qualities of someone who's attained the goal are the same qualities one cultivates when training for the goal.

One trains by being what one is to become. If the goal is to be peaceful, the way there is to be peaceful. If the goal is to be released from craving, the way there is to train to subdue cravings.

In this manner the achievement of the goal is not radically distinct from what led to that achievement.