Category Archives: Geshema

Third Round of Geshema Examinations

The third round of Geshema Examinations is taking place from May 1-12 2015 at Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in Mundgod in southern India.

This year there are 38 Tibetan nuns taking part in this round of examinations and they are split as:

11 in the first year,
6 nuns in the second year of examinations,
and 21 in the third year.

One of the 38 Tibetan nuns taking the Geshema Examinations

The Geshema examination process is a rigorous one that takes four years in total, with one round per year each May. The fourth round of examinations will be held in 2016 at Geden Choeling Nunnery in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, northern India. Continue reading →

One of the first Geshema nuns: The Story of Venerable Delek Wangmo

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Venerable Delek Wangmo’s journey to the Geshema exams has been a long, arduous and sometimes dusty one.

She is one of the first batch of Tibetan nuns who are sitting the 4-part exams for the Geshema degree, equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The culmination of 17 years of rigorous study, this is a level of scholarship and Buddhist training that was previously almost exclusively available to men.

Here is her story.

Venerable Delek Wangmo in her room at Dolma Ling Nunnery. This photo and the photograph below are both courtesy of Brian Harris.

Continue reading →

Breaking news: Geshema exam results are in

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Geshema Exams Part Two

Exam results are in for 29 Tibetan Buddhist nuns who made history this year as they work towards their Geshema degree.

22 of the 23 nuns who sat Part 2 passed.
4 of the 6 nuns who sat Part 1 passed.
Those who did not pass have the opportunity to re-sit next year.

About the Geshema Degree

The Geshema degree is comparable to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.

Geshes, and soon also Geshemas, are the most educated monastics, carrying much of the responsibility for preserving the Tibetan religion and culture. The Geshema exams take place over 4 years and are the culmination of a rigorous 17-year course of study.

This is historic because the degree was previously only open to men.

The nuns’ achievements are all the more remarkable because some of the women sitting the doctoral exams were totally illiterate when they escaped from Tibet.

Background

The opening up of this opportunity for nuns would not have been possible without the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Department of Religion and Culture of the Tibetan government in exile, and high lamas and teachers.

In many ways, their immense leap in capacity has been made possible through the programs that you have helped support through the Tibetan Nuns Project.

Your support has also helped us work tirelessly for the opportunity for ordained Buddhist women to get the Geshema degree.

Once they obtain their Geshema degrees, besides being in possession of a treasure of knowledge, the nuns will be eligible to assume various leadership roles in the monastic and lay communities, bringing them one step closer to standing as equals.

Video of Geshema Exams for Tibetan Buddhist Nuns

Global good wishes to the Geshema exam nuns

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People from around the world have sent messages of good luck and support to the 29 nuns sitting their Geshema exams in India. The exams have taken place over the last two weeks and finish today, May 15th. The exams are the culmination of a rigorous 17-year course of study and are a landmark achievement for Tibetan women.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns and their teachers during oral examination Geshema exams 2014

A photograph taken during the oral examinations of the May 2014 Geshema exams for Tibetan Buddhist nuns

Twenty-nine Tibetan Buddhist nuns from various nunneries gathered for 1 month at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute in the Kangra Valley, near Dharamsala, northern India. During the last two weeks of April, the nuns took part in an intensive study session and then on May 1st they began their oral and written exams. This is only the second year that Geshema exams for Tibetan nuns have taken place. This year, 23 of the 29 nuns have been sitting Part 2 of the four-part exam, while 6 nuns have been taking Part 1.

Here are some of the many heartfelt messages that the nuns received via the Tibetan Nuns Project Facebook page:

Andrew from Canada wrote, “Good luck, just don’t be very nervous because you have worked so hard and you are wise and virtuous already.”

Rita from USA wrote, “I am so glad this day has come! No need to send you luck for it is your dedication and self-discipline that will bring you the success you deserve. I know you are all masters at meditation so I am confident that your minds will be clear and focused. I celebrate this day with each of you! The Buddha is smiling! ”

Ugyen, a Tibetan woman from Bhutan, said, “Best of luck !!! Very appreciative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advocacy to change the landscape of religious education. Hope to see a lot more Geshemas.”

Colleen in Australia wrote, “Sending blessings to all participating in these exams that they may succeed in passing. Blessings also to all teachers involved with passing on their knowledge. May all children receive blessings of education, and may all beings be free from suffering.”

Barbara from New Mexico, sent this message, “Good luck, and though you are studying hard, be sure to take time to eat and sleep! All of us out here are wishing you the best!”

Marci from the USA sent these words, “We know you will all do well. Many blessings and much gratitude for your efforts, each and every one. May you attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.”

If you would like to see all the messages of good luck and support, join the Tibetan Nuns Project Facebook page.

Nuns reading messages of support to the Geshema candidates

Nuns reading messages of support from other nuns to the Geshema candidates

The nuns themselves also wrote and shared letters, poems and messages of support to their sisters writing the exams.

poem of good luck written in Tibetan by a Buddhist nun

A good luck poem written by a fellow nun and posted on the noticeboard of Dolma Ling Nunnery in support of the nuns taking their Geshema exams.