The graduation ceremony. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A total of 141 monks from 131 monasteries in Tibet Autonomous Region and the other four Tibetan-inhabited areas from Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan provinces) graduated from Tibet Buddhism College after finishing two-year study, Jul. 10, 2015, Chinanews.com reported,

On the same day, the Tibet Buddhism College also held the graduation ceremony for the second academic class and that for the seventh training class for monks and nuns from remote areas.

This batch of graduates included monks from the Gelug, Sakya, Nyingma, Kagyu sects of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon, the original religion of Tibet.

Among these graduates, 41 monks were awarded the title of "Lharampa Geshe"(the highest esoteric title), and 100 monks were awarded the title of "Nzhing Ram Ba" (an intermediate academic title).

The Tibet Buddhism College has integrated modern college teaching methods into traditional scholastic methods, as per the example of the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China.

The education programme has been divided into three departments: esoteric Buddhism, exoteric Buddhism, and Rinpoche. Each department has three main courses related to legal matters, public courses, and Buddhist teachings.

Drukhang Thubten Khedrup Rinpoche, presidents of both Tibet Buddhism College and Tibet Branch of the Buddhist Association of China, said in Tibet Buddhism College, monks and nuns can not only learn the basic teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and monastic rules, but can also gain an understanding of the country’s national religious policy and modern cultural knowledge.

"Lharampa Geshe" graduate Sengge Zangpo said that through the two years of study in the Tibetan Buddhism College, he has gained a deeper understanding of the Buddhist teachings, and learned a lot about modern science and technology.

The graduation ceremony. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

"Now, Tibetan monks and nuns’ knowledge in religion and other areas have been increasing and the Tibetan Buddhism has vigorously developed, which is remarkable", Sengge Zangpo said.

A monk who participated in the training class program said, "We really appreciate such an opportunity to focus on learning. The development of Tibetan Buddhism has been well supported and protected".

Up till now, the Tibet Buddhism College has held two academic classes and seven training classes for monks and nuns from monasteries in remote areas.