8 monks awarded top degrees

LHASA - Another eight monks have been certified to be Gashe - which is the highest level of attainment for monks studying the scriptures of Tibetan Buddhism.

They received their accreditation at the weekend in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet autonomous region. Since 2004, there have been 48 new Gashes. The Geshe Lharampa degree is the highest honor for Tibetan monks and can be earned after many years of study of the classic scriptures of Buddhism.

The eight monks were all from major monasteries that included Ganden Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Lhasa. The ceremony was held at Lhasa's Jokhang Temple.