The above picture was posted on Shar Ganden’s Facebook page and reveals the successful candidates who have been awarded the prestigious Geshe degree this year. The Geshe degree is a culmination of years of study according to the excellent Gelug educational system and lineage, and is one of the highest accolades in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhist studies, particularly the Geshe Lharampa degree (the equivalent of a doctoral degree).

The Gelug Education System

The Gelug monastic education system covers five major topics – Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Pramana, Abhidharma and Vinaya – studied through the medium of logic and debate.

The educational syllabus in all Gelug monasteries follows the commentaries that were written by Je Tsongkapa and his main disciples Gyaltsab Je (1364-1432) and Kedrub Je (1385-1438), Panchen Sonam Drakpa, Jamyang Shepa, etc. In addition, there are many other supporting additional textbooks by Great Masters such as Nagarjuna, Dharmakirti, Chandrakirti, Chandragomin, Atisha, Shantideva, Aryadeva and so on that are used to explain the finer aspects of the teachings.

The Path to the Geshe Degree

Shar Ganden Monastery has a tradition of half-yearly and annual monastic examinations. The exams differ based on the number and depth of the subjects, according to the year of study. Upon completion of the yearly exams, successful candidates progress to the next level of study, eventually advancing to the debate classes and evening debate sessions. Each debate student seeks a personal tutor through the traditional offering of a khata and fresh fruits, after which the student then commences dialectic and philosophical studies, also known as color class.

The Gelug Exam or the Geshe Debate Exam is the final stage of Buddhist Sutra studies within the monastic community. Monks who have successfully passed the previous years of study will participate in a series of examinations comprising all subjects from the color class to the Vinaya class, prior to undertaking the Geshe Debate Exam. In the past, this was overseen by the Gaden Tripas, Sharpa Choejes and Jangtse Choejes as well as the abbots.

Culminating during the Yarney season (Rainy Season Retreat), the Geshe Debate Exam is essentially a formal debate presentation before the assembled monks of the three main Gelug monasteries – Ganden, Sera, and Drepung – along with the Dalai Lama and his two tutors, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.

Historical Evolution

Traditionally, the Geshe debate exam in Tibet was conducted during the Lhasa Monlam Chenmo (The Great Prayer Festival), and was held at the Jokang Cathedral in Lhasa. Originally a 6-year course of study, the current Gelug examinations in Shar Ganden Monastery are now conducted for a period of 4 years, in the wake of the unfortunate segregation in 2008 which resulted in a shortfall of candidates.

The modern Gelug exam was founded post-Tibetan diaspora of 1959 and closely follows the original structure, except for the addition of the grammatical discourse and philosophical written exams.

The current Gelug Examination Board consists of the general supervisory staff from Shar Ganden and Serpom Monastery, whose responsibilities include organizing the exam and its logistics. The board members are appointed with the consent and mutual agreement from both monastic colleges.

We at dorjeshugden.com congratulate Shar Ganden Monastery for successfully producing such qualified Geshes that will in turn become the next generation of excellent teachers, thus continuously perpetuating the pure Gelug lineage of Jamgon Je Tsongkhapa.

It is wonderful and heartwarming to see new qualified teachers arising from Shar Ganden Monastery.

Admin