Tibetan monks debate for highest degree

The Tibet branch of the China Buddhist Association said that 13 monk scholars from key monasteries in the region took part in the examinations last year. All of them passed the preliminary examination and qualified to take the final examination this time. They were awarded the degree of Geshe Lharampa after the debate on Saturday.

Monk scholars undergoing the Geshe Lhamrampa degree also have to take exams in cultural courses, including grammar, poetry, current affairs and politics.

Following a strict examination and assessment by the evaluation committee, Losang Dadrak of Sera Monastery, won first place on Saturday. Champa Shipal of Champaling Monastery came in second, and Ngakwang Kunchen of Drepung Monastery won third.