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Geshe

November 26, 2023

Geshe (Tib. dge bshes, short for dge-ba'i bshes-gnyen, "virtuous friend"; translation of Skt. kalyāņamitra) or geshema is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns. The degree is emphasized primarily by the Gelug lineage, but is also awarded in the Sakya and Bön traditions.[1][2] The equivalent geshema degree is awarded to women.[3]

History edit

The title Geshe was first applied to esteemed Kadampa masters such as Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (1102-1176), who composed an important lojong text called Seven Points of Mind Training and Geshe Langri Tangpa (dGe-bshes gLang-ri Thang-pa, 1054–1123).

The geshe curriculum represents an adaptation of subjects studied at Indian Buddhist monastic universities such as Nālandā. These centers were destroyed by Islamic invaders of India, leaving Tibet to continue the tradition. It first developed within the Sakya monastic lineage, where it was known as ka-shi ("four subjects") or ka-chu ("ten subjects"). The Sakyas also granted degrees at the conclusion of these studies, on the basis of proficiency in dialectical ritualized debate. In Tsongkhapa's time the Sakya degree was awarded at Sangphu, Kyormolung and Dewachen (later Ratö) monasteries.

The geshe degree flowered under the Gelug monastic lineage. Under Gelug domination, monks from various monastic lineages would receive training as geshes through the great Gelug monasteries. Gelugpa geshes often went on to study at one of Lhasa's tantric colleges, Gyütö or Gyüme. (The tantric colleges also grant a "geshe" title for scholarship in the tantras.)

Under Sakya and Gelug influence, the Kagyu and Nyingma monastic lineages developed their own systems of scholarly education. Their schools grant the degree of ka-rabjampa ("one with unobstructed knowledge of scriptures") as well as the title Khenpo, which the Gelug tradition reserves for Abbot (Buddhism). The course of study which prevails in Kagyu and Nyingma circles emphasizes commentary over debate, and focuses on a somewhat wider selection of classics (with accordingly less detail). It ideally lasts for nine years, concluding with a three-year, three-month meditation retreat.

In April 2011, the Institute for Buddhist Dialectical Studies (IBD) in Dharamsala, India, conferred the degree of geshe on Venerable Kelsang Wangmo, a German nun, thus making her the world's first female geshe.[4][5]

In 2013, Tibetan women were able to take the geshe exams for the first time.[6]

In 2016, twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns became the first Tibetan women to earn geshema degrees.[3][7][8] The geshema degree is the same as a geshe degree, but is called a geshema degree because it is awarded to women.[3]

Curriculum edit

The Geshe curriculum consists of the "Collected Topics" (Tibetan: བསྡུས་གྲྭ་, Wylie: bsdus-grwa) which were preliminary to the syllabus proper, as well as the five major topics, which form the syllabus proper.

The exoteric study of Buddhism is generally organized into "five topics", listed as follows with the primary Indian source texts for each:

  1. Abhidharma (Higher Knowledge, Wylie Tib.: mdzod)
  2. Prajñā Pāramitā (Perfection of Wisdom, Wylie Tib.: phar-phyin)
  3. Madhyamaka (Middle Way, Wylie Tib.: dbu-ma)
  4. Logic (pramāṇa Wylie Tib.: tshad-ma)
    • Treatise on Valid Cognition (Pramāṇavarttika) by Dharmakīrti
    • Compendium on Valid Cognition (Pramāṇasamuccaya) by Dignāga
  5. Vowed Morality (vinaya, Wylie Tib.: 'dul-ba)
    • The Root of the Vinaya (Vinaya-mūla-sūtra, Dülwa Do Tsawa, Wylie Tib.: 'dul-ba mdo rtsa-ba) by the Pandita Gunaprabha

Conferral of the Degree edit

In the Gelug school, the degree may not be earned by laypeople (though some recipients later give up their robes), or until recently by women (including nuns). The first geshema degree was conferred to a German nun, Kelsang Wangmo, in 2011.[9][10][11] The Gelug curriculum, which lasts between 12 and 40 years, centers around textual memorization and ritualized debate, and is invariably taught through the medium of the Tibetan language.[citation needed]

Each year an examination is held for those who have completed their studies. In it 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 and the topic to be debated is selected by the abbot on the spot, so that students have no chance to do specific preparation. Thus, it is a real test of a student's abilities and the depth of their study. At the conclusion the abbot assigns each candidate to a category of geshe according to their ability. There are four such categories, Dorampa, Lingtse, Tsorampa and Lharampa, Lharampa being the highest. After this, in order to qualify, the candidates are not allowed to miss even one of the three daily debate sessions during the subsequent eight months.[citation needed]

Sources edit

  • Adams, Miranda. "The Gelugpa Monastic Curriculum". The Treasury of Lives. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  • Dreyfyus, George. "Tibetan Monastic Education". Tibetan and Himalayan Library. Tibetan and Himalayan Library. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  • Liu Shengqi. . China Tibetology. China Tibet Information Center. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  • at the Wayback Machine (archived September 17, 2009) The Government of Tibet in Exile
  • . zt.tibet.cn. Archived from the original on 2015-04-20.

References edit

  1. ^ Staff. "The Passing of Ven. Geshe Gyeltsen - 1924 / 2009". Urban Dharma: Buddhism in America. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  2. ^ Quotation: The geshe degree in the Gelug school is comparable to a western doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. The difference is that it usually takes more than twenty years to complete.
  3. ^ a b c "Twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns are first ever to earn Geshema degrees - Lion's Roar". Lionsroar.com. 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  4. ^ Haas, Michaela (18 May 2011). "2,500 Years After The Buddha, Tibetan Buddhists Acknowledge Women". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  5. ^ (Interview). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  6. ^ Haas, Michaela (2013-07-07). . The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2013-06-07.
  7. ^ "Tibetan Buddhist Nuns Make History: Congratulations Geshema Nuns! - The Tibetan Nuns Project". Tibetan Nuns Project. 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  8. ^ Meade Sperry, Rod (2016-07-15). "Twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns are first ever to earn Geshema degrees". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  9. ^ Rinpoche II, Tsenzhab Serkong. "Overview of the Gelug Monastic Education System". Berzin, Alexander (trans.). Study Buddhism. Retrieved 2016-06-06. Translated and compiled by Alexander Berzin, September 2003.
  10. ^ Quotation: The monastic education system in the Gelug monasteries covers five major topics, based on five great Indian scriptural texts studied through the medium of logic and debate – "tsennyi" (mtshan-nyid, definitions) in Tibetan.
  11. ^ In December 2005 Dalai Lama said that talks was going on with the Department of religion to start honoring Buddhist nuns with the title Geshema — Buddhism is All We Have - Dalai Lama

See also edit

November 26, 2023
geshe, bshes, short, bshes, gnyen, virtuous, friend, translation, kalyāņamitra, geshema, tibetan, buddhist, academic, degree, monks, nuns, degree, emphasized, primarily, gelug, lineage, also, awarded, sakya, bön, traditions, equivalent, geshema, degree, awarde. Geshe Tib dge bshes short for dge ba i bshes gnyen virtuous friend translation of Skt kalyanamitra or geshema is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns The degree is emphasized primarily by the Gelug lineage but is also awarded in the Sakya and Bon traditions 1 2 The equivalent geshema degree is awarded to women 3 Contents 1 History 2 Curriculum 3 Conferral of the Degree 4 Sources 5 References 6 See alsoHistory editThe title Geshe was first applied to esteemed Kadampa masters such as Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje 1102 1176 who composed an important lojong text called Seven Points of Mind Training and Geshe Langri Tangpa dGe bshes gLang ri Thang pa 1054 1123 The geshe curriculum represents an adaptation of subjects studied at Indian Buddhist monastic universities such as Nalanda These centers were destroyed by Islamic invaders of India leaving Tibet to continue the tradition It first developed within the Sakya monastic lineage where it was known as ka shi four subjects or ka chu ten subjects The Sakyas also granted degrees at the conclusion of these studies on the basis of proficiency in dialectical ritualized debate In Tsongkhapa s time the Sakya degree was awarded at Sangphu Kyormolung and Dewachen later Rato monasteries The geshe degree flowered under the Gelug monastic lineage Under Gelug domination monks from various monastic lineages would receive training as geshes through the great Gelug monasteries Gelugpa geshes often went on to study at one of Lhasa s tantric colleges Gyuto or Gyume The tantric colleges also grant a geshe title for scholarship in the tantras Under Sakya and Gelug influence the Kagyu and Nyingma monastic lineages developed their own systems of scholarly education Their schools grant the degree of ka rabjampa one with unobstructed knowledge of scriptures as well as the title Khenpo which the Gelug tradition reserves for Abbot Buddhism The course of study which prevails in Kagyu and Nyingma circles emphasizes commentary over debate and focuses on a somewhat wider selection of classics with accordingly less detail It ideally lasts for nine years concluding with a three year three month meditation retreat In April 2011 the Institute for Buddhist Dialectical Studies IBD in Dharamsala India conferred the degree of geshe on Venerable Kelsang Wangmo a German nun thus making her the world s first female geshe 4 5 In 2013 Tibetan women were able to take the geshe exams for the first time 6 In 2016 twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns became the first Tibetan women to earn geshema degrees 3 7 8 The geshema degree is the same as a geshe degree but is called a geshema degree because it is awarded to women 3 Curriculum editThe Geshe curriculum consists of the Collected Topics Tibetan བས ས ག Wylie bsdus grwa which were preliminary to the syllabus proper as well as the five major topics which form the syllabus proper The exoteric study of Buddhism is generally organized into five topics listed as follows with the primary Indian source texts for each Abhidharma Higher Knowledge Wylie Tib mdzod Compendium of Higher Knowledge Abhidharma Samuccaya by Asanga Treasury of Higher Knowledge Abhidharma Kosa by Vasubandhu Prajna Paramita Perfection of Wisdom Wylie Tib phar phyin Ornament of Clear Realization Abhisamayalaṃkara by Maitreya as related to Asaṅga The Way of the Bodhisattva Bodhisattvacaryavatara Wylie Tib sPyod jug by Santideva Madhyamaka Middle Way Wylie Tib dbu ma Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way Mulamadhyamakakarika Wylie Tib rTsa dbu ma by Nagarjuna Four Hundred Verses on the Yogic Deeds of Bodhisattvas Catuḥsataka by Aryadeva Introduction to the Middle Way Madhyamakavatara Wylie Tib dBu ma la Jug pa by Candrakirti Ornament of the Middle Way Madhyamakalaṃkara by Santarakṣita The Way of the Bodhisattva Bodhisattvacaryavatara Wylie Tib sPyod jug by Santideva Logic pramaṇa Wylie Tib tshad ma Treatise on Valid Cognition Pramaṇavarttika by Dharmakirti Compendium on Valid Cognition Pramaṇasamuccaya by Dignaga Vowed Morality vinaya Wylie Tib dul ba The Root of the Vinaya Vinaya mula sutra Dulwa Do Tsawa Wylie Tib dul ba mdo rtsa ba by the Pandita GunaprabhaConferral of the Degree editIn the Gelug school the degree may not be earned by laypeople though some recipients later give up their robes or until recently by women including nuns The first geshema degree was conferred to a German nun Kelsang Wangmo in 2011 9 10 11 The Gelug curriculum which lasts between 12 and 40 years centers around textual memorization and ritualized debate and is invariably taught through the medium of the Tibetan language citation needed Each year an examination is held for those who have completed their studies In it 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 and the topic to be debated is selected by the abbot on the spot so that students have no chance to do specific preparation Thus it is a real test of a student s abilities and the depth of their study At the conclusion the abbot assigns each candidate to a category of geshe according to their ability There are four such categories Dorampa Lingtse Tsorampa and Lharampa Lharampa being the highest After this in order to qualify the candidates are not allowed to miss even one of the three daily debate sessions during the subsequent eight months citation needed Sources editAdams Miranda The Gelugpa Monastic Curriculum The Treasury of Lives Retrieved November 22 2013 Dreyfyus George Tibetan Monastic Education Tibetan and Himalayan Library Tibetan and Himalayan Library Retrieved 22 November 2013 Liu Shengqi The Education System of Three Major Monasteries in Lhasa China Tibetology China Tibet Information Center Archived from the original on 20 April 2015 Retrieved 23 July 2014 The Geshe Degree Origin of the Geshe Degree at the Wayback Machine archived September 17 2009 The Government of Tibet in Exile The Education System of Three Major Monasteries in Lhasa zt tibet cn Archived from the original on 2015 04 20 References edit Staff The Passing of Ven Geshe Gyeltsen 1924 2009 Urban Dharma Buddhism in America Retrieved 2010 02 04 Quotation The geshe degree in the Gelug school is comparable to a western doctorate in Buddhist philosophy The difference is that it usually takes more than twenty years to complete a b c Twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns are first ever to earn Geshema degrees Lion s Roar Lionsroar com 2016 07 15 Retrieved 2016 10 04 Haas Michaela 18 May 2011 2 500 Years After The Buddha Tibetan Buddhists Acknowledge Women Huffington Post Retrieved 2018 01 18 The Joy of Study An Interview with Geshe Kelsang Wangmo Interview Archived from the original on 2016 03 04 Haas Michaela 2013 07 07 Buddhist nun professors or none The Washington Post Archived from the original on 2013 06 07 Tibetan Buddhist Nuns Make History Congratulations Geshema Nuns The Tibetan Nuns Project Tibetan Nuns Project 2016 07 14 Retrieved 2018 01 18 Meade Sperry Rod 2016 07 15 Twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns are first ever to earn Geshema degrees Lion s Roar Retrieved 2018 01 18 Rinpoche II Tsenzhab Serkong Overview of the Gelug Monastic Education System Berzin Alexander trans Study Buddhism Retrieved 2016 06 06 Translated and compiled by Alexander Berzin September 2003 Quotation The monastic education system in the Gelug monasteries covers five major topics based on five great Indian scriptural texts studied through the medium of logic and debate tsennyi mtshan nyid definitions in Tibetan In December 2005 Dalai Lama said that talks was going on with the Department of religion to start honoring Buddhist nuns with the title Geshema Buddhism is All We Have Dalai LamaSee also editDialectics Gelongma Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geshe amp oldid 1155272508, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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