Geshema exams 2019: Tibetan Buddhist nuns debate

As part of their examinations for the Geshema degree, Tibetan Buddhist nuns must debate in front of the examiners. The Geshema degree is the highest degree in their tradition. Known as the Geshe degree for monks, it is equivalent to a Ph.D. in Tibetan Buddhism.
This year, the exams are being held at Jangchup Choeling Nunnery. The debating examinations are being held for four hours in the morning (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and four hours in the afternoon (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
As shown in this video, examiners supervise the debate, make sure that what is said is relevant to the topic, and intervene as needed.
The nuns cannot choose their debate topics. Instead, they must draw a slip on which three topics from one subject are written. The nun being examined can pick one topic from the three and debate on that. Each nun is given 15 minutes to debate.
From August 1-12, 2019, 51 Tibetan Buddhist nuns are taking various levels of the Geshema exams. These rigorous exams take four years to complete, with one set being held each year. The exams start at 8 a.m. each morning. Two groups of nuns take written exams from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., while the other two groups take debate exams.

[@pureone26]

So wonderful, 20 years ago this didn't happen. One can only imagine the benefit these women will be to the world, now and in future lives. xo