In preparing for writing the biography of a Zen Priest, I am thoroughly immersed in the history and flavors of Buddhism. Take your pick! Austere Zen, colorful deep chanting Tibetan. Repetitive chanting Nichiren Shoshu ("Namu myoho renge kyo"). Ritualistic with the Buddhist Churches of America. Or the super shortcut, Amida (Pure Land) Buddhism where you can skip the muss and fuss of actual work on yourself, effort, meditation or struggle for self-perfection and simply say "Namu Amidha Butsu" (hail to the name of Amidha Buddha) and you get whisked away to the "Pure Land" of Buddha for all eternity.
I must say that as a matter of economics this last option seems the most cost effective. Why study, pray, meditate, or chant? Why go to church, temple, Mosque, shul? This is like an Express Checkout for the spiritual supermarket.
"EZ pass" salvation! And, at no extra cost! This Brand of Buddhism has no objection to calling out to Jesus, Mary, or anyone else to save you! So, in case you have not decided "fish or chicken" or "ice cream or pie," Order both.
I mean, why not? I see it as a Religious Hedge Fund. Hmmm! Getting nervous about salvation? With a billion each in Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, I can definitely see that you are experiencing some last minute purchase jitters. Maybe you want to recheck the items in your cart before you proceed to checkout. Good idea! On the other hand, if the Atheists are right, there will be no one to experience buyer's regret.
I can see why some people are driven to Atheism. With so many choices insisting that they are the right and only ones, and with so many choices, it is hard to take it seriously. Then there is the competitive childishness. Instead of saying "I feel closest to Jesus (or Moses, or Krishna) because I just do, the response is much more propietary. It's more like "I am buying Ford and if you buy anything else but Ford you will die! And I don't mean just a little death, as in "that car is a lemon, now you have to buy a new one." I mean big death, for eternity! As in: "You bought a crappy car now you are stuck driving it. Forever. And it doesn't go anywhere. Ha Ha Ha! I told you to buy a Ford. Now you are damned. It's so clear. I tried to save you. I told you that if you don't buy Ford, No Other Car will run. There is no other "true car" and don't even think about the abomination of flying, or riding the train or a boat.
There is only one true form of transportation.
Sounds absurd doesn't it? That is what people who insist on one religion being superior to another sound like. The sooner we get over this, the better for the species.
At least Amidha Buddhism is a time saver. If you are going to choose a religion, please look at total cost. Time, effort, pay off.
Why study, pray, and meditate when a simple low cost single phrase saves you for all eternity? And! You don't have to waste time putting down the other religions. No hostility. Express checkout and an infinite number of people to work the register.
Terrific!
