April 2 was a beautiful day in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region. Under cloudless skies, Barkor Street was bustling with pilgrims circling Jokhang Temple in a clockwise manner, a usual part of daily religious practice. As the sun glinted off Jokhang's golden roof, hundreds of monks from some of the region's most important monasteries made their way to the temple to take part in this year's Tibetan Buddhism examinations.

They had come to debate dharma, a requirement of the Geshe Lharampa, the highest degree in Tibetan Buddhism.

Clad in saffron robes, the monk candidates sat patiently as they waited to defend their understanding of dharma, the foundation of Buddhism, against challenges from a handful of top scholars. A grand prayer was held before the exam began. The sonorous sound of chanting and the fragrance of Tibetan incense filled the temple's courtyard.

The examiners, a board of master scholars, stood in the middle of the courtyard ready to challenge the candidates, who sat on raised podiums at the center and the end of the courtyard.

Debate was fierce at times, with monks making pushing and pulling gestures and clapping their hands to make their points, as if fighting.

After three hours, all 13 candidates passed the final debate. They were presented with certificates and gifts as the degree of Geshe Lharampa, which means "intellectual" in Tibetan, was bestowed upon them.

As the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism, the Geshe Lharampa requires many years of study. Preliminary examinations were held in September in Lhasa's Sera Monastery.

The Tibet branch of the China Buddhist Association said monk candidates for the Geshe Lharampa also have to take exams in cultural courses, including grammar, poetry, current affairs and politics.

Following a strict examination and assessment by the evaluation committee, Losang Dadrak of the Sera Monastery won first place. Champa Shipal of the Champaling Monastery came in second, and Ngakwang Kunchen of the Drepung Monastery took third.

Champa Shipal said that he was pleased to have earned the degree, as he had failed to do so many times in the past. He has spent over 30 years in preparation.

"I hope Buddhism will always prosper, and that it will continue to benefit all living beings in the future," he said.

Drubkhang Thubtan Khaidrub, executive vice-president of the Tibet branch of the Buddhist Association of China and head of the Tibet College of Buddhism, gave a congratulatory speech and presented certificates to the winners.

"Tibet has experienced continuous socioeconomic development in recent years, which creates a good environment for the monks to focus on dharma studies and meditation," he said.