Tibetan Buddhists prime for debate test

Judges will use secret ballot to decide results

Students at the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China in Beijing debated Buddhist scripture on Friday in sessions filled with nerves and heated arguments.

There are 13 candidates from the Tibetan Bon region for the Tho Ram Ba - equal to a university doctorate - and 22 candidates for the Chi Ram Ba - equivalent to a master's degree - according to the college.