Every morning at six o'clock, Rinqen Norbu and another 30 lamas get up and start another day reading scriptures at Nalanzha Monastery in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

As a student of Tibet's first and only school founded and run by lamas since the overthrow of feudal government in 1959, Rinqen, 19, said he was very proud of being chosen to study there.

Founded in 1992 by the late Cuchim Gyaincain, an eminent "living Buddha", the lama school enjoys a sound reputation in Tibet.

Before the 1950s, the serf system dominated the region and only the children of noble families could receive an education, while the serfs and their offspring, who then made up more than 95 percent of the population, were deprived of the right to education.

Under the strict hierarchical system, few lamas, except for those with high social status, had the opportunity study Tibetan Buddhism, said Sangbo, 37, who became the second school president after Cuchim Gyaincain died in 2001.

Cuchim Gyaincain, who was one of the most eminent Tibetan Buddhist scholars, was also expert in Tibetan medicine and calendar system. "He used to say that his biggest wish was to pass his knowledge on Tibetan medicine to more people instead of taking it to heaven," said Sangbo.

Cuchim Gyaincain had donated a total of 220,000 yuan (US$26,500) to run the school, which also receives an annual donation of 80,000 yuan (US$9,400) from a local Tibetan medicine company.

Tibet boasts more than 1,700 temples with 47,000 lamas. Although other major temples in Tibet, such as Sera Monastery and Zhebung Monastery, also run scripture study and Tibetan language classes, the curriculum at Nalanzha Monastery school covers a greater range of subjects.

"In eight years, we will study Tibetan Buddhism, language, medicine, calendric system, rhetoric, astrology and Tibetan drama," said Rinqen Norbu.

In addition, the students learn official religious policies and laws, mainly through reading the Tibetan version of the Tibet Daily newspaper, said Sangbo.

Rinqen Norbu came from the Qiangqiulin Temple in Nagqu County, and the rest came from other areas and had to pass an entrance examination after being recommended by their temple.

"The students work very hard and they all get high scores in the examinations at the end of the term," said Dawa, 39, a teacher at the school who was taught by Cuchim Gyaincain for 14 years.

The routine life of the students is simple and busy. Beginning about 6 a.m. their study usually lasts more than 10 hours. They have a one-day holiday every two weeks and a one-month holiday after the examinations on December 1 of the Tibetan calendar.

"The most exciting experience is the two-hour debate on Buddhism starting at 4:00 p.m. every day. The atmosphere is so intense and we are so excited that sometimes we can't help waving our arms when debating," said Rinqen.

So far, 23 lamas have graduated from the school and most returned to their temples.

"The temple I lived in is comparatively smaller, and lacks lamas with higher accomplishments on Buddhism study. After eight year's study at Nalanzha Monastery school, I have not only improved my knowledge of Buddhism but also learned enough knowledge on Tibetan medicine, with which I treat and cure local patients," said 30-year-old Dainzin, a lama of Zhadang Temple in Shannan Prefecture.

"After graduating from the school, I will pass what I have learned on to more young lamas and be a doctor in my hometown," said Rinqen.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2003)