🍽️Dining Philosophers💭@ Punjabi Indian Palace, West End

Dine with the Wise at Punjabi Palace Indian restaurant, South Brisbane. Dining Philosophers is a geek term in computer science that illustrates synchronization issues in concurrent processes.

• 6.30pm - We've booked a table for intellectual conversation and international cruisine. We can also discuss the customs, culture and travel to India.
• Look for the host (Steve) at table wearing a green leprechaun tophat. Punjabi Palace Indian restaurant is vegetarian Friendly, vegan options and gluten free options. View the menu.
• 8pm(Optional) nearby popular GelatoMessina ,where we can get a scoop of the best icecream in Brisbane.

The venue is close to public transport(5 min walk from South Bank stations) and some free and paid nearby parking.

Indian philosophy often emphasizes the sacredness of food, viewing it as a divine gift that should be treated with respect and gratitude. This perspective is reflected in dietary practices, where many Indians, particularly Hindus and Jains, follow vegetarianism and other dietary restrictions based on principles like ahimsa (non-violence) and purity

Recommended Reading:
Indian Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (2001) by Sue Hamilton, Oxford Press.
India-Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (2012) by Becky Stephen, Kuperard Publish.

## Discussion Topic: India the world's largest democracy by population

India’s four major Dharmic traditions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—were not created in democratic states, but each contains philosophical ideas that align surprisingly well with pluralism, ethical governance, and individual moral agency, which are core to modern democracy. These religions are linked by the shared concept of dharma—a moral order rather than rigid dogma. That shared foundation helps explain why they integrate smoothly with democratic norms.

## How Dharmic Religions Align with Democratic Principles

### Hinduism

• Pluralism and diversity of belief: Hinduism has no single founder or mandatory creed, which naturally supports freedom of thought and religious pluralism.
• Ethical duty (dharma) over dogma: The emphasis on dharma encourages moral responsibility in public life rather than obedience to authority.
• Debate traditions: Classical Hindu philosophy includes structured debate (śāstrārtha), echoing democratic deliberation.

### Buddhism

• Rational inquiry: The Buddha encouraged questioning and personal verification of truth, aligning with democratic ideals of critical thinking and informed citizenship.
• Compassion and non‑harm: Buddhist ethics promote policies that minimise suffering, supporting welfare‑oriented governance.
• Sangha decision‑making: Early monastic communities used consensus and voting, a proto‑democratic structure.

### Jainism

• Anekāntavāda (many‑sided truth): Jain philosophy explicitly teaches that no single viewpoint captures the whole truth, mirroring democratic respect for multiple perspectives.
• Non‑violence as political ethic: Ahimsa encourages peaceful coexistence and civil discourse.
• Self‑restraint and accountability: Jain ethics emphasise personal responsibility, a key democratic virtue.

### Sikhism

• Equality and rejection of caste: Sikhism explicitly affirms social equality, resonating with democratic commitments to equal rights.
• Community decision‑making (Sarbat Khalsa): Historically, Sikhs used collective assemblies to make decisions—an unmistakably democratic practice.
• Service‑oriented citizenship: The principle of seva (selfless service) encourages civic participation and social responsibility.

## Why Dharmic Traditions Fit Well in a Democracy

Across all four religions, the search results highlight a shared emphasis on duty, ethical conduct, and multiple paths to truth, rather than rigid dogma or centralised authority. This makes them unusually compatible with democratic values such as:

• freedom of conscience
• pluralism
• deliberation and debate
• equality
• moral accountability

These traditions don’t create democracy, but they provide cultural soil in which democratic norms can grow.

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No-Show Policy: Seats are limited to 8. Please update your RSVP at least 24 hours before event if unable to attend. No-shows will always be put on the wait-list for future events. Thank you.