Eight lamas are awarded Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 13, 2012.

They received the Gexe Lharampa degree, a title similar to a doctorate in the Gelugba faction of Tibetan Buddhism, after passing tests. The laureates of the Gexe Lharampa had to defend their dissertations by debating on Buddhism doctrines during the ceremony. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. A total of 56 lamas have been honored the degree since 2004 when the exam was resumed.

Zhukang Tubdain Kaizhub (L), head of the Tibet branch of the Buddhist Association of China, awards a lama a certificate of Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 13, 2012. [Photo/Chogo of Xinhua]

Lamas pose for group photos after receiving Gexe Lharampa, at the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa, April 13, 2012. [Photo/Chogo of Xinhua]