There is ultimately, no difference in the goals of all the orthodox Buddhist schools, except in the method which they propound. All of them lead to enlightenment and caters to the many dispositions of us humans. Take the Pure Land practice for instance, reciting the Buddha's name is more than just meditation and recalling our Buddha Nature. It is also about building faith, an essential quality for those who do not trust themselves to think lucidly in their low moments, eg, dying. Because what is important is really enlightenment.
Buddha recitation is hence an expedient means to an end.
But that does not mean we do not question the teachings. I cannot say that my life is now one smooth silky ride. It still has its many ups and downs. As long as I choose to remain a lay person, I would have to succumb to all these 'unsatisfactoriness'. There is no way that these 'dukkha' can be eliminated from our lives, and no religion in the Universe has the capability to remove it the way any mundane person would like it to be removed, ie, to be attached to the world and yet live a life of total happiness and freedom.