Final Round - Kechara House Annual Manjugosha Debate Tournament 2009

[bhusukumode]

I think as human beings, it is natural for us take refuge. We take refuge in our jobs, careers, partners, possessions, family, friends or even in our failures. However, many of it fails us and does not bring true happiness. Hence, we take refuge in something higher that can lead us to true lasting happiness. Its a type of happiness that even when we going through the most difficult and challenging times, we are not pulled down by it and we gain strength instead.

[bimbothroneholder]

Yes, I agree. It is very important for us to have the right motivation when debating. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche gave a good talk on debate. Search for this title on youtube- Dharma Talk: Debate by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.

[bimbothroneholder]

Yes, I agree. It is very important for us to have the right motivation when debating. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche gave a good talk on debate.

Search for this title on youtube- Dharma Talk: Debate by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.

[SingaporeGirl78]

I personally think that it is not the preparation but when you check the stability of your mind, especially when you are in front of many people and you need to prove your point without ego getting in the way. Quit a trick to pull!

[bimbothroneholder]

Organising (and participating) in a Dharma debate is not easy. Its not about the logistics, but rather the knowledge - one must have sufficient Dharma knowledge to challenge and defend the statements or points made. The judges must also be well read and know a lot in order to judge whether a point is valid or not.

[SingaporeGirl78]

I am sure its very interesting have different departments in Kechara to discuss and debate Dharma. If you watch the videos, you will see that people from various departments are also very knowledgeable in Dharma. It is very good to know that these members in the various departments know a lot of Dharma, apart from doing their Dharma work and serving the centre and Rinpoche. Rejoice!

[bimbothroneholder]

I enjoyed watching this video very much and have searched the channel for other debate videos.

There are debate videos from KH Annual Manjugosha Debate Tournament 2008 and also Kechara House Annual Manjugosha Debate Tournament 2009.

[tsemiscool]

If you watched the videos, you will find that the debate is for different departments within the Kechara organisation. Isnt this neat? I really applaud Kechara for doing this, to show that Buddhadharma is really about learning and not about praying and getting things from the Buddha through our wishlist.

[tsemiscool]

I think another reason is that Kechara has many departments. No other buddhist organisation in this region has this much to offer I think. Apart from pujas and Dharma classes at the centre, they have a Tibetan art studio to volunteer in, also a soup kitchen and so on.

[SingaporeGirl78]

I noticed that Kechara House have got many young people in their center who have an astounding amount of Dharma knowledge. If you watch all the debate videos, you will find that there are many young people who are very knowledgeable in Dharma.

[tsemiscool]

Nice to know that Kechara House looks modern yet their approach to learning is based on traditional monastic methods. I think thats why it attracted many young people.

[SingaporeGirl78]

Thank you for letting us know. I went to search for it. There are a few rounds for each of the annual tournament. It is quite interesting. I relate to last years debate more. I think thats because I read Tsem Tulku Rinpoches book Compassion Conquers All before.

[bimbothroneholder]

I have watched videos of monks debating in a monastery. There are many debates on going at the same time at the debate courtyard. If you do not have enough concentration you will get easily distracted and at the end lose the debate due to lack of focus.

[SingaporeGirl78]

I read that the debate in a monastery is a one on one debate and there can be a few people debating with one defender, so the debate person, especially the defender has to do a lot of homework in order to be able to defend his stand.

[BetteCC]

The spirit in debate tournament should be maintained by both team hence they can share more knowledge thru serious preparation and persistence learning. So its not just argumentation but back and forth explaination to get deeper understanding of the topic. To attend debate session is very useful for us to practice dharma in order to find our own guru in such fun ways. Well done KH..

[ntadk]

May this Dharma Debate brings the cause of many great teachers, scholar in KH in the future.

[drakula101]

Kechara House have many dharma activities which normally done by Monks/Nuns, just like Debate which carry out in Monastery, but it is not for the laymen. In KH, they also let ordinary member to practise it, so that their dharma knowledge increase too. I love Kechara House. They are the best.

[Ninje08]

Definitely Puja group wud win.. last year also won by Puja group... know why? Aiyo easy what... they never miss to pray to Lord Setrap every Monday.. Hehe.. now who can win over such powerful backing from a wrathful Amitabha Buddha? Joke aside, I think prayers & meditations do help us to understand the dharma better...

[michaelbuble100]

Congratulation to KH puja group!! you are the best team.

[jellienellie1]

I second goat727's comment. I love the improved quality too! For those of us relying on videos to get our dose of dharma teachings, it's a relief for the eyes and ears with the better quality. I hope KH continues to keep this up because it encourages people to explore other ways of seeking the dharma, and also sharing the dharma.

[callalils]

There is no better way of learning than through debates as it challenges one's mind on the topic being debated.

[Aaaaxn]

It's like the forum on tsemtulkuDOTcom which is really open. The moderators there don't censor the posts...like how the judges/moderators of these debates don't censor the debaters unless they're making personal attacks (which are unnecessary), creating wrong view or going off topic. Well done KHEC for running such good debates!

[Ninje08]

Yeah the forum is good as we can talk about dharma based on our own level of understanding. People who sincerely want to discuss dharma topics are welcome there... but of course for those who having their own agenda, the moderators only need to 'fish' out their true colors like what we read in some older posts... censorship were not needed, as those trouble makers made their own decision to stay away after posted some silly comments.

[Aaaaxn]

One thing I enjoy about watching debate videos is how it's no-holds-barred. That is to say, the debaters are not censoring the words that come out of their mouths. What they say is what they're thinking. It really holds true of Rinpoche's policy which is openeness and transparency.

[Aaaaxn]

It's nice to see the debaters getting so passionate about the subject. I thought the debate topics this year were brilliant. They addressed taboo subjects like guru devotion and taking vows. These are topics which many lay people (and even Buddhists who have taken refuge) find difficult to understand, accept and practice.

[Aaaaxn]

Woaaaaaaaaaaaaah a chart! That's some serious preparation going into their debate! I guess it's a good thing because some people learn better using visual aids.

Anyway I second (triple?) the comments below about video quality. It's very crisp and clear, and the improved quality is very much appreciated for those of us who rely on receiving teachings online.

[purplerain372]

Oh, I quite like how Mr. Loo challenges at 11:50. He directly challenged the other team's point, stated why he believes their point is wrong, and then states what he thinks is the right answer...although I could do without his language at the end (12:30) hehehe and cheeky Paul! "Too difficult for you to understand" LOL that was funny!

[purplerain372]

I think it takes great courage to expose yourself like that in public.You've got to let everyone know how much/little you don't know...and then accept you're wrong in front of so many people. The acceptance also has to come quickly, because if you dwell on the 'hurt' of being wrong, you won't be able to challenge the other team effectively. It's like an intense exercise in the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation.

[purplerain372]

I agree with goat727, the quality of the uploads have definitely improved. I'm glad Jamie reiterated the rules at the beginning of the debate...they were getting a little heated!

I really admire the debaters for taking part. Personally I'd shy away from exposing my knowledge (actually, my lack of knowledge!) in front of everyone.

[goat727]

Thanks very much for these uploads..love the improved quality..much easier on the ears/eyes.

:}

[ntadk]

The defender have to hold the stand that it is the benefit of taking refuge. benefit. benefit. Just like what is the benefit of wearing a jacket in air-conditioned room? to prevent from cold. It won't stop or change the room to become warm. but it have the benefit of keeping your from cold. Refuge and vows have the benefit prevent you to create further bad karma and at the same time accumulate merits to overcome the previous bad. benefit. you already got it, just hold your stand.

[ntadk]

To answer question at 9:30. If you study the person, Angulimala who created a lot of negative karma also have liberation at the end. You are right if Buddha can purify our negative karma he would have do so. That is why Buddha have to teach sentient beings the law of Karma, Four Noble truth and more. Taking refuge and holding at least not to Kill, stop us further bad karma. Angulimala become a monk, which Tsem tulku explains ordination purify a lot of negative karma. that is benefit of refuge.