Losang Dargyai, who came out first in the test for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, defends his dissertation at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo)

Monks take photos at the ceremony of defending dissertations for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

A monk is present at the awarding ceremony for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

Monks ask questions at the ceremony of defending dissertations for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

Drink is provided for monks at the ceremony of defending dissertations for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

The awarding ceremony for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, is held at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

Monks are present at the awarding ceremony for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo) 

Drink is provided for monks at the ceremony of defending dissertations for Gexe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism studies, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 5, 2013. Eight laureates of Gexe Lharampa were awarded here on Friday after they passed tests and defended their dissertations. Gexe means knowledgeable and Lharampa is the highest among the four ranks in the Gexe system. (Xinhua/Chogo)