Don't take them at face value hammer them out until their truth is made evident. With this ever in mind, each afternoon monks assemble in the courtyard for a lively debate. Each participant must be prepared with a thorough understanding of the issue at hand, and must be able to respond immediately and ingeniously when his own proposals are challenged. The goal is to knock flat the opponent's philosophical stance through brandishing the weapon of impeccable logic and rationalism. Thereafter, philosophically, the defeated camp must concede to and even adopt the standpoint of the champion.
Reticence has no place in the debate arena.
Traditionally, the challenger of a philosophical tenet will stand, imposingly, in front of the seated defender of the proposition. While calmly remaining in his seat, one of the many rules of this game of argument, the defender of a subtle philosophical point must be equipped with logical counter-arguments. The speed and cleverness of his rebuttals will demonstrate his own sharpness of wit, or lack of it, as well as his familiarization and versatility in the theme. Often, during a heated session, the classroom will be filled to capacity with fascinated onlookers immediately drawn to the sound of a debate and ready to applaud or jeer a participant's response. In ancient India, the great religious debates changed history and introduced fresh understandings of the scriptures.