Buddhist examination for Lamas in Tibet

In Tibet, most monasteries work as school. Some poor parents would send their children to monasteries for they cannot afford their children to school. The children become lamas when they are sent to temples to learn Buddhist scripture. To check what they have learned, there is Buddhist examination for Lamas in Tibet. 

If lamas pass the Buddhist examination, they will get an academic degree. The preliminary session of the test for Lha Ram Pa Gexe, the highest academic degree for the Gelupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is usually held at the Jokhang Temple of Lhasa, capital of Tibet. Some monk dignitaries from temples like Drepung, Sera and Ganden would take the test in form of debate for an hour. They will be granted the top degree (Gexe) if they pass the dissertation, a final test, at a prayer festival in celebration of Tibetan New Year.

A panel of senior Lamas and Tibetan Buddhism experts has been formed to preside over the two tests. "The resumption of this annual event will encourage Tibetan Buddhists to enhance their religious knowledge and carry on Buddhist traditions. It's also in the interests of the religious circles and Buddhist believers," said Tubdain, head of the Nationality and Religion Affairs Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Gexe examination system is a way to acknowledge the academic degrees of the Lamas who have been engaged in studies of Tibetan Buddhism for many years. Among all the four rankings of the Gexe degrees, the Lha Ram Pa Gexe is the highest one.

In fact, if you plan a tour to Tibet, you can go to Sera Monastery to watch Buddhist Scripture debating held daily in the courtyard of Sera Monastery in Lhasa. Though you might not be able to understand what they are saying, you will be attracted by the fascinating debating atmosphere. The lamas will use all kinds of gestures during debating.