We have a course
called ‘Tsema’ which is generally meant for Monks who are pursuing Buddhist
Studies. It’s one of the teachings of Buddha which is considered to be one of
the most important as well as toughest courses among others. Its’ etymology
stands that “it's science of syllogism, logic and philosophy”. According to
Gyelse Rinpoche at Tango so called Tsema is a Buddhist science to analyze and
differentiate truth is truth and false is false and accordingly follow the
truth and avoid the false. The monks being the religious persons are supposed
to be committing only good things and abstain from committing harmful things,
and to do this first they should know which is good and which is bad and for
analyzing and differentiating such things they need the knowledge of Tsema
which is also the religious purpose of having propounded and learning Tsema. But in reality when we
say Tsema most of people take it as a debate. Actually debate is just practical
part of Tsema. Alike science with experiments, in Tsema also everything is
based on proof. Like truth supported by justice to ensure true justice, in
Tsema statement should be supported by proof which is conclusive proof or reason.
To detect whether the proof is conclusive or not, there are certain conditions
and ways and if those conditions and ways are met then such statements is
considered as perfect statement.
Unlike Monks, we
the legal professionals have to study to build up our analytical skills as our
profession is all about justifying, arguing, reasoning, scrutinizing, etc.
Since our lecturer himself declared that he understood Tsema only after
studying several times I still doubt how far we can grasp in just six months or
else does it really can build up such analytical skills? I really doubt where
can those conditions of Tsema for analyzing the proof, reasons, whatever be fit
in the court proceedings. I think Monks up there had reason to taken aback as
well as appreciate when we told them we are studying Tsema at RIM. For this
purpose just to get more exposure on this course and to watch monks’ debate, led
by our Tsema Lecture, today we had a trip to College of Buddhist Studies,
Tango.
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