A summer tryout for Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree for the Gelugba School of Tibetan Buddhism, will be held on July 28 in Jokhan Temple of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The exam has been suspended for 16 years after a separatist group headed by Dalai Lama took advantage of this religious event in 1988 to start a riot.

"Resumption of this annual event will encourage Buddhist monksto enhance their religious knowledge and carry on Buddhist traditions. It's also in the interests of the religious circles and Buddhism followers," said Tubdain, head of the Ethnic Affairs Commission of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

According to him, six dignitary monks with an average age of 70 from temples like Daipung, Sera and Gandan will compete for Geshe Lharampa, a title symbolizing the highest academic achievement in Tibetan Buddhism.

Those who have passed the tryout will be qualified for the formal dissertation at the praying meeting in celebration of next Tibetan New Year. Only those who win the two rounds are eligible for the honor. A panel of 16 buddhas and Tibetan Buddhism experts has been established to presided over the exam.

Records show that seventeen dignitaries obtained the title in exams of 1986 and 1987.