A dharma debate for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism is conducted at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, on April 2, 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/For chinadaily.com.cn]

A dharma debate, a requirement for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism, was conducted at the Jokhang Temple of Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region on Saturday.

Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in the Tibetan language, represents the highest academic degree of Tibetan Buddhism and requires many years of study.

Preliminary examinations for the degree were held in September in the region's Sera Monastery.

A dharma debate for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism is conducted at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, on April 2, 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/For chinadaily.com.cn]

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.

A dharma debate for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism is conducted at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, on April 2, 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Champa Shipal said he was pleased to be accredited with the degree, which he had failed to obtain many times in the past. He spent more than 30 years in preparation.

"I hope Buddhism will never fail to prosper, and that it will continue to benefit all living beings in the future," he said.

A dharma debate for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism is conducted at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, on April 2, 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Drubkhang Tubtan Khaidrub, executive vice-president of the Tibet branch of the Buddhist Association of China, and head of the Tibet College of Buddhism, gave a congratulatory speech and presented certificates to the winners.

"Tibet sees continuous social and economic development in recent years, which creates a good environment for the monks in which they can focus on their dharma learning and meditation," said Drubkhang Tubtan Khaidrub.

A dharma debate for the 2022 Geshe Lharampa degree of Tibetan Buddhism is conducted at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, on April 2, 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/For chinadaily.com.cn]