On April 5, the defense examination for the promotion of monks studying scriptures in Tibetan Buddhism to Geshe Lharampa Degree, was held at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Xizang. Thirteen monks obtained the degree of Geshe Lharampa following a thorough evaluation conducted by the examination committee.

The Geshe Lharampa Degree, equivalent to a doctoral degree in modern education, is a traditional advanced academic rank of Exotoric Buddhism in the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. So far, 215 monks have received the degree.