Eight more monks have passed the annual debate challenges and were accredited as the highest scholars of the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism Thursday in Jokhang Temple, Lhasa.

Several high-ranking monks of the committee of judges are fighting to get the chance to answer the Geshelharampa candidate's question in Jokhang temple Lhasa.[photo/Palden Nyima]

They were named as Geshelharampa, which means a learned teacher holding a high academic degree somewhat equivalent to the normal educational Doctor’s degree in Buddhist philosophy.

The eight Geshelharampas are from eight different key Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet.

The one from Sera Monastery won the first place Thursday.

According to the Geshelharampa office of Jokhang temple – organizer of the event – this was the ninth round since 2004 when this occasion first began in the temple.

Before the competition began, a prelude of rituals including solemn chanting, and the burning of juniper branches was observed.

Each candidate had to undergo oral defense and to debate with several high-ranking monks of the committee of judges.

The defense process witnessed fierce competition. The two sides frequently used physical actions such as clapping hands, pushing, thronging and rushing forward as if they were fighting for knowledge.

The crowd laughed from time to time at the scene.

"Geshelharampa represents the highest level of attainment of monks in Gelukpa monasteries. Obtaining this position means one already has a profound understanding of the "Five Volumes of Tibetan Buddhist Teachings”, said Shenying Tsultum, a Tibetan scholar from the Tibetan Academy of Social Science.

"And it takes years of hard studying."