Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00065)

In a message dated 12/3/98 6:56:15 PM, am455@lafn.org wrote:

>Debate in Tibetan (Geluk or otherwise) is not argument.  It is designed
>to sharpen the faculties of thought, not "win" or change minds.

"Sharpening the faculties of thought" can only be achieved if one has
sufficient knowledge to generate an argument that would convince an opponent
that his opposing views were wrong or deficient.

Thus, upon winning such debate, both might then come to be in agreement, and
the opponent (and, perhaps, an auditor with insufficient knowledge) would,
therefore, have had to "change his mind" by gaining new knowledge.  In this
sense, the purpose of a Gelugpa Geshe's debating would be to "win" the
argument, and thereby reinforce the conviction in both his opponent and the
audience, composed of both teachers and fellow students, of the true meaning
behind the teachings of the Buddha (or, in the case of theosophists, HPB).

This forum, as a gathering of students (and teachers) to discuss (or debate)
theosophy and/or it's scientific and philosophical grounding, is much the same
as the Tibetan Geshe's debates before their teachers and fellow students.
Therefore, I advocate "strong" counter argument (by any theosophist who
"knows" (or even thinks he knows), when anyone takes a position or makes a
statement that brings in "side issues", contradicts theosophical teachings, or
denigrates its teachers.  The purpose would not be to change the mind of the
opponent, but to make listening students fully aware of the truths offered by
theosophy and the defense of its teachers--in order to "sharpen their minds"
and make them "better able to help and teach others"..