Head of the Tibet Academy of Tibetan Buddhism proposed at the Second Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to increase its efforts in building the academy by nurturing excellent religious talents in Tibet and other Tibetan-inhabited areas.

Drukhang Thubten Khedrup Rinpoche, also member of the Standing Committee of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, said the academy was an incubator for excellent monks and nuns.

He pointed out monks and nuns were used to learning Buddhism in the monasterywhere only Buddhist theories are taught, which will make them feel lag behind in the fastchanging society.

"The Buddhism academy aims at improving the comprehensive quality of monks and nuns." He said that a qualified religious figure should be a master of Buddhism so that he/she can gain trust from the believers.

He added:"Rich knowledge can help the monk students to understand the Buddhism better."

Built on Oct.20, 2011, the Tibet Academy of Tibetan Buddhism is a comprehensive Buddhism school which combines both traditional and modern teachings.

According to Drukhang Rinpoche, Buddhist theories take up 60 percent of the coursework, while legal and history 20 percent and regular school courses 20 percent respectively, which are all lectured by prominent monks from the major monasteries in Tibet.

"After graduation, monk students can obtain the intermediate or advanced degrees of Tibetan Buddhism," he added.

Drukhang Rinpoche has been a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee since 1993.