jducoeur

The specific form is new, and funny, but the idea of automated prayer is actually extremely old, at least in Tibet: the prayer wheel and prayer flag essentially function on the idea that the prayers are good no matter what force motivates them. It's rather elegant extension of principles into the world, I think - although it's worth noting that ordinarily the wind carries the blessing for mantras it breathes into the world, rather than the flag-maker, much less the flag buyer. Still, the overall blessing of the world is mechanically increased, which is in and of itself considered a spiritual positive, I believe.

(In Lord of Light motorized prayer wheels are used to build up blessing energy in a Van der Graaf generator setup, which I also find elegant, if a bit perverse.)