A graduation ceremony was held Friday for the eighth class of the Beijing-based High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China.

The class is composed of 33 Living Buddhas from various parts of China, who were granted certificates at the ceremony.

As the most prestigious Tibetan Buddhism school in China, the college is dedicated to cultivating patriotic religious Buddhists specialized in the teaching, research and international exchange of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as temple management.

During the past two years, the students at the class have systematically studied Buddhist classics and the theories of various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, which has helped lay a solid foundation for them to carry forward Tibetan Buddhism, and promote communication between different Buddhist sects in the future.

In addition, they have also studied courses on language, law, and current affairs.

The Living Buddhas said that they will try to promote Tibetan Buddhism and help maintain the local social stability when they return to their home areas.

(Xinhua 06/01/2001)