It has been some years since I first read the discourses, and as time passes, perspective changes. In the simile of the cobra, Siddhartha comments that some of his followers put the words first rather than the purpose of the teaching. Similarly, Mahayana texts argue that whatever doctrine or practice leads towards Awakening, whatever its source, could be considered the word of Buddha. As I read, that idea was spinning in my head. As I found myself displeased with Blomfield's interpretations, I also found myself becoming more critical of the primary sources themselves. This led me away from thinking so much about what the scholars had written and towards constructing my own synthesis: taking the parts that seemed to point towards something meaningful and trying to fit them into a framework that held more meaning for me. In a way, my frustration with Blomfield ended up being very productive.

Personally, I think all religions are true. Gods are alive and speak to us all the time, but we don't listen. Awakening, in any form or through any practice, is required to navigate the suffering and disorientation of embodied existence. The Atman is not eternal; it was created just for you. As the Maitri Upanishad puts it, Samsara is in the mind. That time you were unemployed for six months? That was your rebirth as a bug. That summer you spent in Greece? Your rebirth as a dolphin. No "real" rebirth, no karmic debt. One earth suit, one chance at Nirvana.

Anyways, the book was decent, and as we're on the topic, my favorite passage, and the reason why I first got interested in the Buddha. From The World's Religions

Sensing at length that a breakthrough was near, he sat down one evening under what has come to be known as the Bo Tree, vowing not to arise until he had gained his goal.

The records offer as the first event of the night a temptation scene reminiscent of Jesus in the desert. Seeking to disrupt Gautama's concentration, Mara, the Evil One, first paraded voluptuous women, and when they failed in their purpose assailed the future Buddha with torrents of flaming rocks. These, though, turned into blossom petals when they entered the field of his yogic concentration. In final desperation, Mara challenged Gautama's right to do what he was doing, but he touched the earth with his right fingertip and the earth thundered, "I bear you witness." Mara fled in rout and raptures descended from heaven to clothe the victor.

Thereafter, while the Bo Tree rained red blossoms that full-mooned night of May, Gautama's meditation deepened until, as the morning star glittered in the transparent eastern sky, his mind pierced the world's bubble, collapsing it to nothing; only, wonder of wonders, to find it restored with the effulgence of true being. The Great Awakening had arrived. Gautama was gone, He had been replaced by the Buddha.

Mara was waiting for him with one last temptation. How could the Buddha expect people to understand truth as profound as that which he had discovered? Why not wash his hands of the whole hot world, be done with the body, and slip at once into perpetual nirvana? The argument almost prevailed, but at length the Buddha answered, "There will be some who will understand", and Mara was vanquished forever.