(Question about things) Zhang Qi: How can I obtain a "doctorate degree" in Tibetan Buddhism in China?
China News Service, Beijing, September 1st. Title: Zhang Qi: How to obtain a "doctorate degree" in Tibetan Buddhism in China?
China News Agency reporter Li Hanxue
On May 23 this year, the Advanced Buddhist Institute of China Tibetan Language at Xihuang Temple in Beijing held a ceremony for conferring the senior academic title of "Toramba" for 33 monks from the Jonang, Sakya, and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. .
According to the traditional rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, these high-ranking scholars paid homage to the Panchen Erdeni Choekjebu collectively.
In the history of Tibetan Buddhism, various sects have successively formed their own learning scriptures and degree systems; the "Toramba" advanced academic title is the newly established highest academic title recognized by various sects.
Why was this academic title equivalent to a "doctorate degree" in Tibetan Buddhism established?
How does its training and requirements for monks differ from traditional monastery education?
What is the current education system for Tibetan Buddhist monks in China?
Zhang Qi, executive vice-president of the Advanced Buddhist College of the Chinese Tibetan Language Department, recently accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "Questions about East and West" and answered the above questions one by one.
Zhang Qi.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Responding to the call to establish a unified system for granting senior academic titles
China News Agency reporter: Please introduce the origin of the Tibetan Buddhist scripture study system and why a unified degree-granting system was established?
Zhang Qi:
Buddhism was introduced into the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from South Asia and Mainland China around the middle of the seventh century. During the process of spreading, Buddhism and Tibetan local traditional culture further integrated and developed, forming Tibetan Buddhism.
Since the 11th century AD, many sects of Tibetan Buddhism have appeared one after another. The Nyingma, Kadam, Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug, etc. have gradually formed unique sects. Temple learning and degree system.
In the eleventh century AD, the famous Indian monk Atisha went to Tibet to preach the Dharma and established a system of studying the Scriptures.
In the twelfth century AD, Chapa, an eminent monk at Sangpu Monastery in Tibet?
Queji Sengge created a system of debating scriptures.
At the beginning of the 15th century, the famous eminent monk, Tsongkhapa, carried out religious reforms and founded the Gelug School, and formulated the educational thought and order of "emphasis on both the obvious and the secret", and the Gelug School gradually formed a systematic The learning and degree promotion system is also known as the Geshe degree system.
Since then, the Nyingma, Sakya, and Kagyu sects have successively established degree promotion systems.
The establishment of the contemporary "Toramba" advanced academic title can start with the establishment of the Advanced Buddhist Academy of the Chinese Tibetan Language Department.
After the reform and opening up, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Tibet and key provinces related to Tibet have gradually restored the traditional learning system.
At that time, the tenth Panchen Lama, then vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Mr. Zhao Puchu, then president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, proposed to the central government to establish a religious academy to train high-level Tibetan Buddhist monks.
With the approval of the central government, on September 1, 1987, the China Tibetan Language Advanced Buddhist Academy (hereinafter referred to as the Advanced Buddhist Academy) was established in Xihuang Temple, Beijing, with the 10th Panchen Lama as the dean and Mr. Zhao Puchu as the consultant.
Data map: On May 23, 2021, the Vice-President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, the Director of the Steering Committee for Tibetan Buddhism Academic Titles, and the Dean of the Advanced Buddhist College of the Chinese Tibetan Language Department, Jia Muyang Living Buddha, issued a certificate of academic title.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Mao Jianjun
After the establishment of the Advanced Buddhist College, it has trained a large number of high-quality monks who love the country and religion of Tibetan Buddhism, and has also actively explored the reform of the Tibetan Buddhist study system.
Here, students of different sects study together, which breaks the view of the door between the sects and helps the students learn from each other's strengths.
At this time, everyone discovered that the degree promotion systems of the various sects of Tibetan Buddhism were inconsistent in terms of learning content, examination methods, and degree names. The calls for a unified and authoritative degree-granting system within Tibetan Buddhism were increasing.
After in-depth investigation and extensive consultation of the opinions and suggestions of high-ranking monks and experts in Tibetan Buddhism, all relevant parties reached a consensus. In July 2004, the State Administration of Religious Affairs promulgated the "Methods for the Awarding of Advanced Tibetan Buddhism Academic Titles (Trial)." .
The "Measures" stipulate that the Chinese name of the new academic title is "Advanced Tibetan Buddhism Academic Title", and the Tibetan name is "Tuoranpa", which is the abbreviation of "Tuoren Muran Jiangpa" in Tibetan.
"Tuorenmu" means high-level, "ranjiangba" means erudite and wise man, which can be understood as "senior, erudite and wise man" together.
"Toramba" is the highest Buddhist academic title in Tibetan Buddhism so far, which is equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist studies. The Advanced Buddhist College of the Chinese Tibetan Language Department is responsible for enrollment, training, and academic title awarding.
In 2004, the Advanced Buddhist College enrolled 13 students in the first advanced academic degree class, with a one-year schooling period. The enrollment targets were monks with high religious attainments in Tibetan Buddhist temples in Tibet and the key provinces related to Tibet.
Later, the annual enrollment plan was expanded from one class with 13 students to three classes with 39 students, and the school system was adjusted from one year to three years.
Currently, there are more than 100 students in the school.
Data map: On November 4, 2020, the sixteenth "Toramba" senior academic title winners of Tibetan Buddhism performed the traditional "Three Cheers" ritual.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
Establishment of the three-level academic title system
China News Agency reporter: What kind of education system does the training of Tibetan Buddhist monks in China present? Has a complete system been established?
Zhang Qi: After the
advanced academic title system was first established and implemented, it was gradually recognized by the Tibetan Buddhist community, and the establishment of supporting intermediate and elementary academic titles followed.
The Buddhist colleges of Tibet and the key provinces in Tibet-related work refer to the models of enrollment, teaching, and awarding of high-level academic titles, and pilot programs for elementary and intermediate academic titles have been opened.
On the basis of summarizing the school-running experience of various Tibetan Buddhist colleges, in April 2015, the State Administration of Religious Affairs promulgated the "Measures for the Granting of Tibetan Buddhism Academic Titles (for Trial Implementation)", which clearly stipulates that Tibetan Buddhist academic titles are divided into junior, middle, and middle schools. The upper three levels are "Zhanranba", "Chiranba" and "Tuoranba".
The first two academic titles are awarded by Tibetan Buddhist colleges organized by Buddhist organizations in the provinces and autonomous regions.
The advanced academic title of "Toramba" is awarded by the Advanced Buddhist College of the Chinese Tibetan Language Department.
The promulgation of the "Measures" marks the formal establishment of a three-level academic title system in Tibetan Buddhism that is well-defined, well-connected, and systematic.
The Advanced Buddhist College of the Department of Tibetan Language of China mainly organizes high-level courses to cultivate and award the "Toramba" high-level academic titles. It can also open intermediate-level courses as needed to grant the "Chiranba" intermediate academic title.
The Tibet Autonomous Region and the four provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai each have a provincial (district)-level Tibetan Buddhist college, which mainly cultivates the intermediate academic title of "Chiranba".
Sichuan Ganzi, Aba and Qinghai Yushu each established a branch of a provincial Buddhist college to cultivate the primary academic title of "Chanranpa".
In addition, an approved Tibetan Buddhist monastery study class with certain conditions can be used as a branch of a provincial Buddhist academy to develop elementary academic titles.
"Toramba": both a monk and a modern citizen
China News Agency reporter: What is the difference between the training methods and course content of monks in the senior Buddhist colleges and traditional temple education?
Zhang Qi: In
contemporary society, a monk who only reads scriptures but does not understand social development and does not have basic scientific and human knowledge. It is not only difficult to adapt to society, but also difficult to convince believers.
In particular, the training of monks in the "Toramba" advanced academic class is more demanding than ordinary monks.
High-level academic titles must not only have systematic and complete religious knowledge, but also have a higher comprehensive quality.
The core requirements are the four standards put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping: "Political reliable, religiously accomplished, morally persuasive, and effective when it is critical." Based on this, we fully reflect the above requirements in the curriculum.
The courses of the college are divided into two parts: professional courses and public courses.
Professional courses are religious courses. The advanced Buddhist colleges hire high-level sutra teachers from various denominations to teach the classic contents of the "Five Major Theories" such as Madhyamaka, Yinming, Jushe, Prajna, and Discipline in the traditional way.
The public courses are very rich.
The first is Chinese and Tibetan language courses.
Because the students, especially the older ones, don’t receive compulsory education for a long time, the tutoring culture class is particularly important for them.
Secondly, courses such as modern Chinese history, constitution and legal foundations, introduction to the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and current affairs politics are offered to improve the political quality of the trainees and let them understand that the law is greater than the canon and that citizens are greater than the people.
Third, offer courses in computer application, health and hygiene, modern scientific and technological knowledge, temple management, etc.
The Advanced Buddhist College places great emphasis on on-site teaching.
Regularly organize trainees to various religious and cultural sites, historical sites, red memorial sites, high-tech enterprises, as well as memorial halls and museums to carry out on-site teaching and inspections to enable trainees to broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge, improve their knowledge structure, and improve their overall quality.
The Advanced Buddhist Academy will also organize students to "go out" to Mongolia, Thailand, Nepal and my country's Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions to carry out religious and cultural exchanges and demonstrative demonstrations.
If we compare advanced academic degree education with traditional Tibetan Buddhism degree education, there are three main differences:
One is the different training methods.
The traditional degree education is mainly to study with the teachers of the sect in the temple.
The Advanced Buddhist Academy implements modern college-style education, and students from different denominations receive full-time, full-time study and education together.
The second is different learning content.
The traditional degree education mainly focuses on the study of Buddhist knowledge and focuses on the practice of speculation. In addition to religious classes, the advanced Buddhist colleges also offer a wealth of public courses, focusing on improving the overall quality of students.
The third is different degrees awarded.
The traditional degree education is awarded by the temple to the degree of the sect, while the "Toramba" academic title is awarded by the advanced Buddhist college, which is recognized and respected by all sects, and is more inclusive and authoritative.
Data map: In Chengdu, Sichuan, a teacher from the Buddhist College is giving lessons to students in the classroom.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Zhongjun
"Surprise" and "Envy" in the Buddhist Circles Abroad
Reporter from China News Service: What
is the current status of the recognition of the advanced academic title of "Toramba" by Tibetan Buddhism circles and believers?
How do the overseas Buddhist circles evaluate the three-level academic title system, including the advanced academic title of "Toramba"?
Zhang Qi:
After more than ten years of hard exploration and practice, the Advanced Buddhist Academy has formed a set of system regulations and mature practices in the admissions, teaching, management, and awarding of advanced academic classes. A large number of high-quality patriotic and religious monks Obtained the advanced academic title of "Toramba".
After they returned to places and temples, they were generally affirmed and trusted by temples and believers.
Some have served as sutra teachers, Khenpo and other teaching posts in temples, or entered temple management and organization work; some have served as school leaders or sutra teachers in Buddhist colleges of Tibetan language departments at all levels; some have participated in interpretation of canons and doctrines and compilation of teaching materials for third-level academic titles Some work in the Buddhist Association; some outstanding performers also serve as representatives of local people's congresses or members of the CPPCC, actively participating in politics.
It can be said that the high-level academic title of "Toramba" is becoming more and more famous in the Tibetan Buddhism circle, and its influence is getting bigger and bigger.
From the enrollment of senior Buddhist colleges in recent years, we can also see the degree of recognition by Tibetan Buddhist monks to the advanced academic title of "Toramba".
At present, the 18th advanced degree class currently studying in the college has a student who is more than 60 years old. After three consecutive years of exams, he finally got his wish.
When enrolling students in May of this year, a monk who graduated from the Buddhist College of Gansu Province wrote to the college stating that he had taken the advanced degree entrance examination for two consecutive years. He did not get the opportunity to study at the college because of insufficient comprehensive scores, but he would not give up. , And continue to apply for the exam.
At present, the number of admissions of the college is about 30 per year, but the number of applicants is more than 150.
As the number of applicants for monks gradually increased, the competition became more and more fierce.
In recent years, senior Buddhist colleges have organized teachers and students to conduct exchanges abroad. The local Buddhist community is surprised to learn about the three-level academic title system.
Because this breaks their previous perceptions that they have long been influenced by Western prejudiced propaganda, and they often think that there is no freedom of religious belief in China.
Now that I see with my own eyes that Tibetan Buddhism has not only been inherited in a healthy and orderly manner, but it is also very effective in terms of innovation and development. I am very envious. Many people also hope to study and exchange at the Advanced Buddhist College.
At the request of relevant parties, the Advanced Buddhist Academy has held two training courses for monks in Tibetan Buddhism for Mongolia and Nepal.
According to the differences in religious knowledge, cultural level, and language of the monks of the two countries, we carefully selected teaching materials, selected and assigned excellent scripture teachers, teachers, class teachers and translators, and carefully ensured their studies and life. All classes achieved good results. The Buddhist circles in both countries have had a very good influence.
Such shifts will continue to be held in the future.
Data map: The site of the academic title examination of Tibetan Buddhism "Zhiranpa" and "Zhanranpa".
Photo by Hu Guilong
The three-level academic title system is a major reform and innovation of the Tibetan Buddhist study system
China News Agency reporter: How do you evaluate the establishment of the three-level academic title system?
Zhang Qi:
Since the establishment of the three-level academic title system, a large number of outstanding Tibetan Buddhist monks who love their country and religion have been trained.
As of 2021, the Advanced Buddhist Academy has held 17 high-level awarding activities, and 273 graduates have obtained the "Toramba" high-level academic title.
Local Tibetan Buddhist colleges at all levels have trained 1,102 "Zhiranpa" intermediate academic titles and 1245 "Chanranpa" primary academic titles, which greatly optimizes the talent structure of Tibetan Buddhism and effectively alleviates the lack of high-quality talents. The human condition.
The three-level academic title system of Tibetan Buddhism not only fully respects and inherits the traditions of various sects of study and degree systems, but also absorbs the experience and practices of modern degree education, covering all sects of Tibetan Buddhism, and is united, progressive, democratic, and harmonious. The characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism satisfy the desire to establish a unified and authoritative degree system within Tibetan Buddhism. It is a major reform and innovation of the Tibetan Buddhism study system and a vivid practice of the Sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism.
The establishment of the three-level academic title system has important and far-reaching significance for cultivating high-quality monks who love the country and education, promote the healthy inheritance and development of Tibetan Buddhism, and promote the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society.
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