western pureland

was having drinks with my, lp and lk last evening. we were talking about lots of things in life and somehow the topic drifted to buddhism and the hungry ghost festival. and i shared my views about ullambama and how the seventh month is supposed to be a good month instead of a bad month. and there were some differences in views about how buddhism views this month. i was trying to explain how buddhism in china had evolved to the point where many buddhistic practises and china culture became intertwine.

well, my had many differences in views. i couldn't help but felt a little uncomfortable with how my tried to defend his views that hungry ghost festival is part of buddhist rituals... along the way, issues of taoism, confusianism, chinese history came in. anyway, i shared with him my views of things. he said some of my views are very extreme and out of the world (well, i cannot recall the exact words he used). the way he said it made it sound like i was very unorthodox and very wrong. i didn't respond except that i suggested that perhaps he can read up more. i was not about to defend myself. there are just too many possible views about buddhism and everyone is entitled to his views about it.

the topic went around several issues too and one of which was about pure land buddhism. he went on to insist that buddha had himself spoke about pure land buddhism. well, i did not know enough to go further except that perhaps buddha did, but to me, regardless of which buddhism, all are the same to me. and i shared that perhaps concepts of pure land buddhism took shape after buddha's passing and evolved as part of the mahayana tradition. he insisted that pure land buddhism is the best amongst all and that is the surest and shortest way to nirvana. he claimed that even buddha said so. i did not rebutt. but to me, there is no best or less best buddhism. all are different ways to attain elightenment. also, i don't believe there is a surest and shortest way. but well, i chose to agree to disagree.

i left the conversation at that. i suggested that if he could afford the time, he should attend the courses at the temple to find out more.