Blyth on Buddhism

In a book by Blyth, she writes:
"To bow before a wooden image is nonsense. To offer food is superstitin. Singing the natinal anthem, asluting the flag, public prayers, bowling at shrines, regarding some things as holy, reading newspapers, trying to become rich, these are all folly and vulger."

This is recommending not having to put ones patriastism on display and not having to put ones spiritual expression on display. Not pursuing wealth makes sense too. But reading newspapers? Why is that there?

The kinds of actin that Blyth calls folley and vulgar are those that tend to put us out of touch with genuinely encountering the reality of life, particularly our own inner life. Instead, the so called vulgar actions direct us outward instead of inward.

Erich Fromm said the Industrial revolution has alienated man from nature because it has turned him into a consumer rather than a producer. For examle, we don't grow wheat and make our own bread. We are not involved in the productin process or no longer do the work with our own hands. As a consumer society we are not part of the process; we are alienated.

What do you think about Blythe's vulgar actions? How many empty rituals do you engage in? (Rituals in the broadest sense of the word...secular to.) In your life are you just going through the motions? Is your life some kind of rehearsal or is it real and direct? Or, are you alienated from your life? This is surely something to think about.

Hey, P.S., if you read newspapers go ahead and don't feel guilty about it. But, let's not forget to make our own news too.