Geshe

A Geshe is a person who has been awarded a Geshe degree.

The Geshe degree in the Geluk school is comparable to a western doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. However, it usually takes more than twenty years to complete, and covers five distinct subject areas, and the examination is based upon one's proficiency in dialectical debate on these areas - the core texts and commentaries are memorised by the applicant, in order to be able to refer to them as necessary.

The first Tibetan tradition to award a degree at the conclusion of the course of studies were the Sakyas which was also granted on the basis of proficiency in dialectical debate. The Sakya degree was called the Ka-shi - four subjects, or Ka-chu - ten subjects. In Tsongkhapa's time the Sakya degree was awarded at Samphu, Kyormolung and Dewachen (later Ratö) monasteries.

Each year the there is an annual examination held for those who have completed their studies, in which their performance is evaluated by the abbot of the particular college. The topics for their dialectical examination are drawn from the whole course of study, so students are unable to do any specific preparation because the topic to be debated is selected by the abbot on the spot. Thus, it is a real test of a student's abilities and the depth of his study. At the conclusion the abbot assigns each candidate to a category of geshe according to his ability. There are four such categories, Dorampa, Lingtse, Tsorampa and Lharampa, Lharampa being the highest.

After this, in order to qualify, the geshe candidates are not allowed to miss even one of the three daily debate sessions during the subsequent eight months.