Thesis, Reason, and Example (pratijñā, hetu, udāharaṇa)

Each topic is like a short essay: you must have your own thesis, then lay out your supporting evidence, using apt analogies to illustrate it, or citing concrete examples.

Zong (宗) means the thesis—the central claim, your own argument.

Yin (因) means the evidence, the supporting grounds, the facts.

Yu (喻) means a fitting and vivid analogy, used to illustrate the thesis.

Only after mastering this can you step onto the forum to debate the Dharma with others. Without this ability, do not take part in any debate. Practicing your eloquence offstage is still fine.

But being eloquent does not mean having good logical thinking, does not mean being able to state the facts clearly, does not mean having grasped the truth, and does not mean possessing great wisdom. Eloquence is far inferior to the mind, far inferior to the capacity for logical reasoning.