Gaden Choeling nunnery, May 1, 2016 Phayu
Photo: Kunsang Gashon
DHARAMSHALA, May 1: The fourth and final examination for the first ever batch of 20 nuns aspiring for Geshema degree began on Sunday at the Gaden Choeling Nunnery here in McLeod Ganj.
44 nuns (20 final year nuns) from four nunneries will be appearing for the 12-day examination, divided into two parts - oral (debate) and written examination simultaneously.
Minister of Department of Religion and Culture, Pema Chhinjor attended the first day as a part of the Geshema Examination Board to witness the beginning of a historic examination that was initiated following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call in 1995 for the need of Geshema degree for nuns.
The minister said, “Those who pass this final examination will be receiving their Geshema degree from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in October.”
In order to appear for Geshema exminations, a nun must first study the Five Great Canonical Texts (Shung Chen Kapo Nga) thoroughly for 17 years in their respective nunneries. Only then nuns will be allowed to appear for the four-year course.
“There were many hardships while studying the vast subject. However, I feel fortunate and joyous to appear for the examination, which make the hardship negligible,” said Tenzin Kunsel of Dolma Ling Nunnery appearing for the fourth-year examination.
The four Geshe Lharamapas from Drepung Loseling, Sera Jhe, Gaden Jhangtse and Drepung Gomang monasteries would be evaluating the debates.
The decision to conduct Geshema examination was arrived at a high-level meeting of Department of Religion and Culture in May 2012 after His Holiness, at the 11th meeting of Tibetan religious heads in Sept 2011, had suggested the religious heads to chalk out an academic procedure for the degree interpreted widely as a Doctorate in Buddhist philosophy.
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