MUNDGOD: The third Geshema Examination has started today in Jangchub Choeling Nunnery, Mundgod. It is scheduled to take place from  to 12 May. These exams are being organised according to the special regulation passed in 2012 and carried out under the supervision of Geshema Examination Board, which is comprised of representatives from Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Nuns Project, Institute of Buddhist Dialectics-Dharamshala and six concerned nunneries located in India and Nepal.

The examination includes debate and written test in major texts of Buddhist studies. The evaluation of the debate test is done by four Geshe Lharamapas specially invited from Sera Jhe, Sera Mey, Gaden Shartse and Drepung Gomang monasteries. One Geshe Lharampa is also invited from Gaden Jangtse monastery to invigilate the proceedings of the written tests.

The subjects are divided into main and optional. Tibetan Language, Tibetan History and Modern Science are optional subjects. It is not compulsory for the nuns to pass these optional subjects, however the marks obtained are added to the total marks. The setting of question papers of main subjects and evaluation of answer papers are also done by Geshe Lharampas.

In total, there are thirty-eight candidates taking part in the current examination, eleven in first year, six in second year and twenty-one in third year. The duration of Geshema examination is four years. After holding the fourth examination in Geden Choeling Nunnery, Dharamsala in 2016, nuns will begin receiving geshema honor thus, fulfilling the longstanding aspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and marking a new chapter in development of nun’s community.