Conclusion : Purva paksha and the way forward

Conclusion : Purva paksha and the way forward
a. In this final chapter, the author states that we must revive the old tradition of `purva paksha' in order to discern the enemy and save our civilization.

b. Five "rules of engagement for effective purva paksha" are explained :-
i. Level playing field where every agreement is mutually decided.
ii. The only intention must be to pursue the truth.
iii. No `win-win' type of outcome should be forced upon.
iv. A preliminary mastery of the `ego' through the serious practice of adhyatma-vidya.
v. Thorough understanding of the opponent's traditions and theology.

c. "Anticipated western responses" are listed, in which the author eloquently sums up the anticipated reactions from the west, if such a `purva paksha' were to be held.
i. Fundamentalist push-back: "significant numbers from these western religions will reject the premise and value of purva paksha", because "for such believers, respectful engagement with dharma is tantamount to dealing with the devil."
ii. Open minded within the limits of history-centrism:  "while some of them would be interested in it, a good many others would be unwilling to compromise the history-centrism and exclusivism which they hold to be central to their own religion."
iii. Serious explorers into dharma : "a much smaller group of practitioners would be willing to call into question the core beliefs of the west."
1. "A subset would want to explore whether western notions at risk could be reformulated in the light of dharma."
2. "The further subset willing to travel the farthest consists of those who wish to advocate a wholesale translation of the essential spirituality of Judaism/Christianity into the dharmic paradigm. These seekers are willing to accept Jesus on par with other Hindu avatars."
However, since these seekers "have not addressed their own cultural assumptions, there may be a tendency to settle for an abstract `perennial philosophy' or else make a `U-Turn' back to their former beliefs."
iv. "Rare is the western seeker who is able to follow through on his or her quest without such a volte-face. Rarer still is the one who is able to forge a completely new and individual path of spiritual achievement."

d.The author concludes by citing Gandhi as an example of someone who saw the inter-civilizational encounter as the "kurukshetra where he performed his sva-dharma."

KK


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