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.
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Solomon Lang
February 16, 2014
Congratulations Shar Ganden Monastery. May the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa spread exponentially.
Sandra
February 18, 2014
I rejoice to see more and more qualify Geshes. This really touch me and make me think that samsara world need more monastery. We have so many type of universities but so little of monastery. In fact we need the precious dharma teaching. I really hope the coming future can have more monastery and subsequent produce more quality Geshe to teach.
sam kee
February 24, 2014
Indeed good news! This old system practiced in Tibetan monasteries ensures that a good pool of dedicated and learned geshe continue to teach dharma to the sangha community and to the lay community.
twotruths
February 24, 2014
It really looks like Shar Gaden is really “suffering” under this “ban.”
Jack Harness
February 25, 2014
@TT you are really good for my dharma practice…to remind me that disparaging another persons guru? Even if you do not say it directly is that the same thing?
SG is growing in the face of many obstacles, I like to think of these Geshes as being crafted under immense pressure to become diamonds for future dharma growth…
Gaden Shartse grew from nothing post 1959…Shar Gaden is no different today and IMHO will grow stronger from the collective efforts of all sincere DS practitioners wherever they may be.
JH
two truths
February 25, 2014
If Shugden practitioners were truly persecuted, how would there even be a place like Shar Gaden, and producing Geshes at that? Should they have been driven out of the exile community like this website claims?
In truth they separated from the majority of Gaden Shartse to create their own monastery. Now when I was at Gaden, Shar Gaden monks freely go anywhere in the tibetan settlement with no hassles or persecution.
I rejoice at the success of Shar Gaden and for the success of their newest Geshes. This is true Dharma practice. The monks here are doing what Shugden practitioners should do, succeed in Dharma, instead of what these western Shugden practitioners do, protesting against HHDL.
When HHDL visits Gaden, do you see the Shar Gaden monks protest??? No. They continue with their Dharma studies. When I was at Gaden, I even went into Shar Gaden and a monk there invited me to dinner. That is a true example of showing the world Shugden is a real Dharma protector. Not the example of the western Shugden monks who give Buddhism a bad name in the mind of the general public.
The western Shugden monks should follow the example of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche and the Shar Gaden monks. Not say one word against HHDL, and even have pictures of HHDL and show him respect, yet practice the practices that their root gurus have given them.
Jack Harness
March 3, 2014
@TT
1) What makes you think just because you walk around Gaden, Shar Gaden to look for yourself and see no problems? That is terribly short sighted and naive? Did you expect problems to happen in plain sight by yourself?
The persons that commit these acts do so without impunity because they know that the monks themselves would ever fight back? They do so under the cover of darkness out of sight of anyone who can report who they are? or where they are from disappearing into the ether….That is the point.
Also there is immense respect for the lifelong friendships / relationships with each other that bind the monks in Gaden and Shar Gaden (even though they do not mix / practice together doesn’t mean they don’t hold each other dear in their thoughts and prayers).
2) Knowing the ban on DS practitioners not mixing with the other 99% of the Tibetan population? (what gives you the right to mix with Shar Gaden and have a meal with a DS Monk? Aren’t you breaking HHDL edict on the DS situation? Are you switching camps or finding a some semblance of tolerance/ acceptance for DS practitioners?)
3) I have mentioned briefly that some of us appreciate Western practitioners bringing these issues to a global audience because that brings the impetus for change to happen.
I have seen first hand the power of human voice on issues of Apartheid, Nuclear Free, SA Independence, Ireland Independence…all of which started with a small groundswell of voices to be heard on a global stage…before any gains were made.
4) If you need to ascertain exactly what dharma supports their actions? or HHDL actions do some research and check out the vows of a monk and what that entails?
You and others have mentioned on comment threads that it is just HHDL bashing for their own ends.
I appreciate that some of DS practitioners are using not very respectful language and so are HHDL supporters without looking into the issues with any accountability of all the issues involved.
Like using a candle to light the way in a dark tunnel instead of using the rays of an inexhaustible LED light? IMHO. If HHDL is acting as a man as some point out? _/I\_ fine but then you would have to ask what are the rules of being a monk and what that entails? Is HHDL following those rules or is he not?
From my observations, I have to say he is and he isn’t because the DS controversy will not be over until HHDL is crystal clear in all his advices and evidences for the ban. To this date and best of my knowledge he still is not and hence impact on everyone continues to this day.
I don’t appreciate practitioners creating negative karma / instigating violence in the name of HHDL. I don’t appreciate negative language in the name of pro DS practitioners. Both is not good however you can skillfully express your opinions without creating negative karma.
Why is it important to stand up for rights of religious freedom or human rights?
Not to do so will create an environment to create an untouchable class of Buddhist practitioners that also legitimises a culture of persecution in Tibetan communities for a long time? Why should this continue without any action to curb or stop this from the POV your government officials / spiritual head which HHDL is?
In the modern world our leaders are one or the other never both because absolute power can only lead to corruption absolute.
JK