36 Tibetan Buddhists awarded special doctorates in Beijing

BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 36 Tibetan Buddhists were awarded "Tho Ram Pa" degrees, a prestigious academic title equivalent to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhism, at the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China in Beijing on Friday.

The scholars belong to the Gelug, Nyingma and Bonpo sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Before receiving their degrees, they completed three years of study, passed their exams, defended their dissertations and underwent an assessment and voting process.

Jamyang Losang Jigme Tubdain Qoigyi Nyima, a living Buddha and the president of the college, presented the monks with their degrees. Zhukang Tubdankezhub, a living Buddha and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, congratulated the scholars.

Since the launch of a new system of academic titles for Tibetan Buddhism scholars in 2004, a total of 399 monks have received "Tho Ram Pa" degrees from the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China, covering all sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Enditem