The Buddhist sutra debating
The Sera Monastery located in Lhasa is noted for its complete and strict Buddha dharma educational system. Over centuries, many sainted lamas and learned masters have finished their study here.
Lama Rka Ma Chosphel, who became a monk 26 years ago, is now Deputy director of the Administrative Committee of Temples and Monasteries. He said:“There is one Coqen Hall, three Zhacang (Buddhist Tantric school) and over thirty Kangcun(lower-level Tantric schools) in the monastery.
The sutra learning within the Sera Monastery has had a strict system of admission back to history. Usually there must be three mentors to recommend one monk for his application. The mentors must also supervise studying and living of their students. If they cannot finish their schoolwork within the set period of time, or misbehave, they would be dismissed.
Lama Rka Ma Chosphel said, the monks in the Sera Monastery are divided into administrators elected by all monks, student monks and business managers with student monks taking the majority.
The schedule of the student monks is divided into two periods: the morning and the afternoon. In the morning, student monks take classes on canons given by their teachers, while in the afternoon, they go over what they have learned through debating, which can be very fervent with a loud noise and rough gestures. Anyone who passes the monastery would be amazed by this unique scene.
Lama Rka Ma Chosphel said, debating is one of the important homework for student monks, which is held every day of the week except Sunday. Usually, monks of the same school year will gather together in a circle with one asking questions, and the other answering them. If any of them cannot give the right answer about what they have learned in the morning, he has to go back and review the lessons in the evening until he full understands it.
