As the pinnacle of domestic education in Tibetan Buddhism, the Beijing-based China Advanced Institute of Tibetan Buddhism is highly influential in all matters relating to the religion. Starting in 2006, the institute voted to launch an evaluation and qualification system for sutra lecturers, the professor-equivalents of the institute. On October 31 last year, the first session of the first evaluation committee was convened, marking an important step toward instituting an academic title system for the religion.
The title of sutra lecturer refers to teachers of religious courses in the higher learning establishments of Tibetan Buddhism. The title covers four levels – Grades 3, 2, 1 and Senior lecturer. The Evaluation Committee at the China Advanced Institute of Tibetan Buddhism is to review applications and preside over a rigorous set of examinations before conferring the title on those who prove qualified.
The first committee is composed of 15 members, all master lamas representing Tibetan Buddhist communities from the four provinces with large Tibetan populations and Tibet Autonomous Region. Living Buddha Chukang Kaizhub, who is also vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Tibet Committee, heads the committee, and his two deputies, Nacang and Yang Jianzan, are both vice presidents at the institute.
As Liu Hongji, an aid to the institute president, noted at the committee inauguration ceremony: "After years of research into and attempts at reform, the academic title system for Tibetan Buddhism has finally been brought into the modern age. More needs to be done, however, to train excellent teachers to serve in the religion's schools of higher learning. This evaluation committee is intended to fill the gap in religious teacher supply, producing more talented clergies who are accomplished in religious studies and inspiring instructors."
In 2011 a total of 31 people applied for the title of sutra lecturer and took the required examinations from November 1 to 5. The evaluation committee released the results of the examinations on November 8: 28 candidates were awarded the rank of Senior lecturer.
Among them was Qenring Gyaince from the Bami Monastery in Nangqen county, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province. He began his studies in Tibetan Buddhism at age 15 and has been giving sermons at his monastery for many years. Qenring says with the title of sutra lecturer he is in a better position to spread Tibetan Buddhism to a wider audience and better understand Buddha's teachings himself.
By Li Guowen
Source: Chinatoday
Editor: Liu Fang
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