However serious and important the subject under discussion, however greatly His doctrine differed from that of His interlocutor, the Buddha, while firmly adhering to His own position, invariably maintained a serene and dignified demeanour.
However angry His opponent might become, He remained calmly smiling; in the face of abuse His affability was unshaken; in victory He was not elated, and defeat He never knew. The Buddha was indeed the ideal controversialist, willing to listen to points of view different from His own, courteous in rejoinder, pleasant and sweet of speech, of unrivalled clarity in the exposition of His own views, He provides not only to all Buddhists but to every person who engages in religious controversy a perfect model of thoroughly civilized behaviour.
