ANSWERERS OF THE OVERNIGHT DEBATE SESSION IN LOSELING COLLEGE

The two standing debaters of that year are the ones who must be the answerers during the overnight debate session on the texts of Vinaya and Abhidharma.

During the Third Spring Religious Festival they have to be able to answer all questions on these texts and also pass down the teachings of the four possible combinations to the first year students of Abhidharma. During the Summer Religious Festival the two standing debaters of both the Drepung Colleges have to take turns in the overnight debate sessions on Vinaya and Abhidharma, which last for four days.
Overnight debate sessions are also held on the texts of Madhyamika and Prajnaparamita for which the Disciplinarian instructs every class to prepare two questioners each and the answerers are the ones who have passed their Geshe Larampa examinations that year. All of the monks gather on hearing the bell for the overnight debate session and Tri Rinpoche, Shartse Choeje, Jangtse Choeje, both the former and present abbots and the honorable teachers must be present at this overnight debate session. Then the Chant Master begins by reciting Manjushrinamasangiti and when it reaches the line “the victorious banner of Dharma is completely hoisted”, the Lama Zhunglenpa signals for the debate to start.