Recently, the 21st “Thorampa” Advanced Academic Title Buddhist Scripture Debating Examination was officially held at the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China in Bejing. 36 candidates participated in this examination, representing various sects of Tibetan Buddhism: 14 from the Gelug Sect, 11 from the Nyingma Sect, and 11 from the Bon-po Sect. The examination was conducted simultaneously across four examination rooms. The procedures for the assesment of “Thorampa” advanced academic titles are rigorous, comprsing a qualification review, a Buddhist scripture debating examination, a thesis defense, and a voting and evaluation process.

The 3-level academic title system of Tibetan Buddhism is a system for the cultivation of high-level monks of Tibetan Buddhism and awarding of academic titles which is unified among different religious sects and formed by inheriting the traditional Buddhist sutra study system in Tibetan Buddhism temples and absorbing advanced concepts of modern education. The academic titles of Tibetan Buddhism are divided into primary, middle, and high levels, which are “Chenrampa”, “Chinrampa”, and “Thorampa”. Among them, the academic title of “Thorampa” is equivalent to a doctoral degree.