<p>The difference between the geshe degrees is comparable to the grade you get on an exam. </p>

<p>From <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20161213145244/http://en.tibetculture.net/religion/knowledge/201107/t20110714_1105356.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">TibetCulture.net</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Geshe Lharampa is the highest degree of the Geshe system, equivalent to the doctorate degree in Buddhist studies. The other three lower-level degrees, namely Dorampa, Lingtse and Tsorampa, will also be conferred according to candidates' performance in the dialectical debate.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Such a challenge as it is, it usually takes decades for a few distinguished lamas to succeed.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-15T14:19:39.567Z
2017-05-15T14:19:39.567Z
Katinka Hesselink
<p>No. Once awarded, that is it.It is a one off.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-21T04:33:15.237Z
Could anyone clarify why they downvoted?
Alan Williams
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-12T23:52:19.057Z
2016-02-12T23:52:19.057Z
Gavinkilty
<p>I have read several different conflicting pieces of information about geshe degrees.  I assumed geshe is a rank given at the end of study.  But, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geshe#Conferral_of_the_Degree" rel="nofollow">according to Wikipedia</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>At the conclusion [of their studies] the abbot assigns each candidate to a category of geshe according to his ability. There are four such categories, Dorampa, Lingtse, Tsorampa and Lharampa, Lharampa being the highest. After this, in order to qualify, the geshe candidates are not allowed to miss even one of the three daily debate sessions during the subsequent eight months.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Does this mean that one can first get a dorampa and then a lingtse later, similar to how lay people earn a bachelors and then a masters?</p>

<tibetan-buddhism><bodhisattva>
Do geshe degrees change over time?
# Do geshe degrees change over time?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-02-08)

I have read several different conflicting pieces of information about geshe degrees. I assumed geshe is a rank given at the end of study. But, [according to Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geshe#Conferral_of_the_Degree):

> At the conclusion [of their studies] the abbot assigns each candidate to a category of geshe according to his ability. There are four such categories, Dorampa, Lingtse, Tsorampa and Lharampa, Lharampa being the highest. After this, in order to qualify, the geshe candidates are not allowed to miss even one of the three daily debate sessions during the subsequent eight months.

Does this mean that one can first get a dorampa and then a lingtse later, similar to how lay people earn a bachelors and then a masters?

**Tags:** tibetan-buddhism, bodhisattva


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-15. Score: 1

The difference between the geshe degrees is comparable to the grade you get on an exam.

From [TibetCulture.net](http://web.archive.org/web/20161213145244/http://en.tibetculture.net/religion/knowledge/201107/t20110714_1105356.htm):

> Geshe Lharampa is the highest degree of the Geshe system, equivalent to the doctorate degree in Buddhist studies. The other three lower-level degrees, namely Dorampa, Lingtse and Tsorampa, will also be conferred according to candidates' performance in the dialectical debate.

And:

> Such a challenge as it is, it usually takes decades for a few distinguished lamas to succeed.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-02-12. Score: -2

No. Once awarded, that is it.It is a one off.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Could anyone clarify why they downvoted?  

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