2023 Geshema Exams for Tibetan Buddhist Nuns

The 2023 Geshema examinations began on July 21st with a record number of Tibetan Buddhist nuns taking the rigorous written and oral examinations. This year, 132 Tibetan Buddhist nuns from seven different nuns' educational institutes in India and Nepal are taking part.

The Geshema degree is the highest level of training in the Gelugpa tradition and is equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism. The take four years to complete, with one set of exams each year over a two-week period.

This highest degree was only formally opened to women in 2012. The Geshema degree is the same as a Geshe degree but is called a Geshema degree because it is awarded to women.

The exams are being held this year at Jamyang Choling Institute in Dharamsala. The nuns taking exams are from these 7 Tibetan Buddhist nuns' educational institutes:

1. Geden Choeling Nunnery (Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India)
2. Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute (near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India)
3. Jangchub Choeling Nunnery (Mundgod, Karnataka, India)
4. Kopan Nunnery or Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery (Nepal)
5. Keydong Thukche Choeling (Kathmandu, Nepal)
6. Jangsemling Nunnery (Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India)
7. Jamyang Choling Institute (Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India)

The 132 examination participants for 2023 are:
Year 1 participants: 51
Year 2 participants: 55
Year 3 participants: 17
Fourth and final year candidates: 9

Video by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.