"asimovfan", would you say the same type of criticism of Asimov's injection of the Cristian God in "the Last question"?
In this story from Clarke, the sentiment you just portrayed is acknowledged, and the point of the whole story.
The two westerners cannot understand not only the grand project being undertaken by the monks, but also what "god" even is to them. Before they can really understand, their project is completed and reality changes.
Hmm without getting too esoteric and the disclosure that I am not a Bhuddist, your point is one of the inferences the reader can make from the story.
-the vendors can't see the point in this 'fruitless' endeavor to build a database of their god's names for some godly/spiritual reason.
-The buddhists can't understand and importantly have no need to understand why the vendors need to "understand" their task, which, they never clarify to us.
That said, obviousley CLarke probably had no idea about proper bhuddist theology. But I like to hope that the idea is still proper?
The concept of "god" is considered a problem in Buddhism, its a wrongly held belief (superstition) that Buddha actively speaks against and refutes (in debate). Also in Buddhism there is no further religious knowledge to be gained or mystery to be solved.
Buddhists would really like everyone to understand their task.
There is no trace of Buddhism in that story really.
That being said, i am not sure i understand your question. What is supposed to be proper?
In this story from Clarke, the sentiment you just portrayed is acknowledged, and the point of the whole story.
The two westerners cannot understand not only the grand project being undertaken by the monks, but also what "god" even is to them. Before they can really understand, their project is completed and reality changes.