Study and debate

The monks follow an intense education adapted to their capacities. An important part is the mastery of debate, an essential educational tool in Tibetan monastic universities. They study and debate both in- and outside. Even the young monks learn Buddhist texts by heart, next to their regular primary education. The final three photos show: Indonesian monks and one nun showing their skills in debate; demonstration of a debate in the presence of His Holiness; a monk receiving the degree of Lharampa geshe, similar to the western title of doctor in the philosophy, after 20 years of intense study (excluding primary education).