No, I was referring to the actual celestial realm known as Pure Land. It is such an absurdity to believe that a man studied a religion, then became one of it's divine figures, and then created a celestial realm of paradise called Pure Land. This is not doctrine that is in line with the Buddhas teachings. He does not teach that Enlightenment can turn you into a god who can create paradises. It's absurd.
I do not think that this Pure Land doctrine is absurd if you can also take it to have metaphorical nature. After all, the Buddha has used metaphors in order to illustrate Dharmic concepts to the common people.
Millions and millions of people have received the benefit and have become better persons because of this Most Great Mantra for this Age of degradation.
He was not the type to say "oh, everyone is right in their own way. Many paths lead to the same truth. Dharma can be interpreted in many ways!" Nope.
That's not him.
Buddha is the guy who made an entire discourse listing all the WRONG VIEWS, refuting them, and then chastising those who believed them. See the Samannaphala Sutta and the Brahmajala Sutta, haha!
Have you read both the Longer and the Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra at all? This Pure Land doctrine is a doctrine of joy, of hope, of beauty and wonder for the layperson to be able to manifest the ideals of the Buddha through the easiest form of meditation.
"
Shariputra, if there is a good man or good woman who heareth of Amitabha and holdeth His Name whether for one day, two days, three, four, five days, six days, as long as seven days with one mind unconfused, when this person neareth the end of life, before him will appear Amitabha and all the Assembly of Holy Ones. When the end cometh, his mind will not be utterly confused, and in Amitabha's Land of Utmost Happiness he will quickly be reborn. Shariputra, because I see this benefit, I speak these words; and, if living beings hear this teaching they should make the vow: I wish to born in that Land."
-- Gautama Buddha (Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra)
One does not need to become a Boddhisattva to come back; they can choose to stay in Pure Land, and cultivate the virtues of the Buddha Dharma for eternity. The Buddha Himself said that there are 84,000 paths to reach Enlightenment from His blessed mouth. And Pure Land says, that this particular dharma is the easiest for every person to practice, that even a mere child can take up this practice.
[youtube]NN8Q2hHPiLA[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN8Q2hHPiLA
A Pure Land teacher once said that the Name is like a paddle on the boat that quickly brings one to the Other Shore; while the other dharma paths require the Power of the Self (
jiriki in Japanese), by letting go and entrusting oneself towards Amitabha (
tariki), then Amida becomes the Oarsman who will carry us to the other side with effortless grace.
