Utilized by Tibetan scholar-contemplatives for the past thousand years to investigate the functions of cognition and perception, and to ultimately probe the very nature of reality, Nalanda Debate is a tried and true method of enhancing our critical thinking capacities. The unique style of using consequential reasoning – pointing out absurd logical consequences in a partner’s stated view (reductio ad absurdum reasoning) – helps to reveal hidden cognitive biases and unacknowledged contradictions held within one’s mind. By situating a dialogue in a restrictive format, the discussion can progress and unearth richer and richer meaning without getting sidetracked or falling prey to time-wasting straw man and ad hominem arguments.

While useful for anyone who intends to be an active citizen of a knowledge-based society, this tool is especially pertinent for today’s research scientists. The practice of Nalanda Debate depends on some logical rules shared in common across most systems of logic, but does not assume any knowledge or acceptance of specifically Buddhist views.

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