Top theological institutes prepare Living Buddhas
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E-mail China Daily, August 14, 2012
A new generation of Living Buddhas who are studying Tibetan Lamaism at top theological institutes are expected to become the eminent religious leaders of the future.
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Dezhub Jamyang Sherab Palden (right) reads sutras at the Tibet Museum in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, on April 17, 2011. [Photo: Xinhua] |
Twenty-two young Living Buddhas, including the 6th Dezhub Jamyang Sherab Palden, 7, and the 7th Reting Rinpoche, 15, are studying at the Tibet Buddhism University, Tibet's only regional-level Buddhist theological academy.
"The young Living Buddhas enjoy each other's company and they play and study together," said Dulkar Tsering, vice-president of the university.
The university opened in October 2011 and has 150 students. Its programs include Esoteric Buddhism, Exoteric Buddhism and Sanskrit for monks from all schools of Tibetan Lamaism.
"The students may have different backgrounds. They are of varying ages, come from different regions, and have different religious influences and economic status. But at school, they are equal as fellow students," Dulkar Tsering said.
Educating young Living Buddhas to become revered religious leaders was the next task facing China after the selection and recognition process of reincarnated Living Buddhas was standardized in 2007 by a regulation issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Some young Living Buddhas are tutored in their own monasteries, which may undermine their religious training because of inadequate resources, said Dulkar Tsering.
Now with all of Tibet's influential Living Buddhas under its roof, the Tibet Buddhism University tries to retain the model of traditional tutoring in monasteries, with 60 percent of the course devoted to religious training, and the rest to language, cultural and secular studies, he said.
It is important for Living Buddhas to communicate in local dialects and connect with believers from different areas in the Tibet autonomous region. It is also important they have the skills to engage in global dialogues during public appearances, Dulkar Tsering said.
Five monks from the university attended the 5th Beijing International Seminar on Tibetan Studies, which was held from Aug 2 to 4, attracting 267 scholars from China and abroad. The monks' participation was aimed at promoting Buddhist studies and gaining experience in front of an international audience.
The school tries to combine the advantages of traditional tutoring with modern skills. Located in Quxu county in Lhasa, it has advanced facilities, thanks to massive government investment.
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