Buddhist Forum Open Debate Sessions

The informal Open Debate Sessions are open discussions that allow many to learn and experience interactive Buddhism. The Open Sessions are structured conversations on the Forum that focus on a designated topic of debate, question, or thought. The premise of Open Sessions are a three tiered approach to interactive learning and participation that provides a sort of weekend retreat exercise for the electronic Sangha. The three tiers of learning are:

1. Debate Topic
2. Debate Commentary
3. Debate Participation

Purpose of Open Sessions

Often, we may find a particularly interesting subject being discussed in a series of Forum posts. These "conversations" may be quite intense one-on-one posts that take place over a matter of just a few hours. Unfortunately, unless we happen to visit the Forum while the conversation is in progress, we may find that we "missed out" on a great opportunity to become involved. At other times we may find that the "topic" of discussion is quite in-depth and we would like to do a little "homework" before we dive into such a vigorous discussion.

The purpose of Open Sessions is to give everyone a "fair" chance to participate and become involved in a deep learning experience.

The three tiered concept of Open Sessions gives everyone time to think about a topic for longer than just a few hours. A topic of discussion is posted early in the week followed by any additional commentary. The topical issue is closed to "debate" until the weekend. This gives the Sangha several days to read the initial topic post, digest and think about its content, and study and research the issues presented. After several days to study the topic, a debate session is opened for full participatory discussion.

The delayed weekend start on "debates" helps us to become more actively involved in the study of a topic. It also allows participants to be guided by the light of others in addition to being a light unto oneself. I often read a series of posts and these lead me to research and study on my own, however, I am also left to determine if my understanding is on a correct path. This three tiered process allows me to read of a topic, study the topic, and then evaluate my understanding.

Many of us do not have a "local" temple or teacher to guide us. For those of us in this situation, these Open Debate Sessions provide a nice secondary alternative to simply going it alone.

Rules, Guidelines, and Format for Open Debate Sessions

General House Rules

1. Everyone has to follow forum "Etiquette"

2. The moderator serves as referee

3. Participants should discuss the topic at hand

4. No character bashing

5. Anyone can "bow out" at any time, by declaring so or by not posting anymore

6. No baiting or luring others back into debate once they have bowed-out

7. No back-stabbing, off-color comments, subtle innuendos, hidden double talk, etc.

8. The goal is to learn the Dharma.

General "Subject Line" Format

1. To initiate a "debate topic" put the phrase "debate topic" in the "subject" line. For example, "debate topic: Samsara" or "Samsara debate topic"

2. To post a "debate commentary" ... put the phrase "commentary" in the "subject" line. For example, "Commentary: Samsara"

3. When the debate session is open, treat the subject as for normal forum posts

Format of Debate Topics

1. Post a debate topic

2. Post a commentary if you want to

3. No other postings until Open Session begin (after Friday at 5:00pm GMT)

4. Multiple debate topics may be posted ... but no debating until after Friday at 5:00pm GMT.

5. Topics are anything related to the study of the Buddhist Dharma. So, you can post thoughts, sutras, questions about results of meditation, theoretical and hypothetical issues, whatever you want to as long as it relates to Buddhism.

Time Frame

1. "Debate Topics" should be posted early to mid week if at all possible so we can all digest the issue at hand before we dive into commentary or follow-ups. NO debating until late Friday! Only "commentary" posts should be added to a topic-post during the week. The debate topic is intended to be read and digested before it is debated.

2. "Commentary" can be posted any time after a "debate topic" has been posted. NO debating until late Friday. Any debate commentary is intended to be read and digested before it is debated.

3. "Open Session" starts at 5:00 pm GMT. Translation: at about 5:00pm in the United Kingdom, at around noon in the Eastern USA, and about 1:00am on Saturday in Asia.

4. A debate session can go indefinitely once it is started. But, if you get into a multi-day affair, it may be best to "temporarily" call off the debate yourself. You can always reopen a debate topic at a later time in another week. Remember that the "hot topic" for you may not be so hot to someone else ... give others a chance to post new topics in the next week.

Addendum

If by chance, a "topic" and any "commentary" get buried down into the forum because of a lot of regular posts, I may repost the "topic" and any "commentary" on Thursday night so it will be up near the top of the main forum page.

Please send comments, corrections, add links, information, etc. to ... khumatsarla@hotmail.com



Thank you for participating on the Buddhist Forum. Many will learn from the experiences and teachings you so graciously share.

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