Time: 09:00-10:30 Nov. 6 2005
Interviewing at: Ta’er Lamasery
Interviewee: Duojiecairang ( an elder monk)
Recorded by: Cao Yuanzhang

Q: Who come to Ta’er Lamasery for worship?
A: Everyday Ta’er Lamasery has a lot of worshippers who are Tibetan, Mongolian, Tu, Gu and Han people and foreigners. The most devout are Mongolian and Tibetan.

Q: Could you tell us something about the Buddhist debate?
A: Buddhist debate is an important part in Buddhism study. Each group is consisted of three monks, two debaters and on referee. As they begin debating, the monks will slap hardly and in loud voice. Our monastery regulates that the debater should be in dignified, elegant and reasonable manner.

Q: Who is in charge of the monks’ daily life?
A: We have Sutra Hall which has one supervisor and 4 lamas under him. The chief supervisor is responsible for monastic discipline, life and study. Under him are four strongly built lamas each holding a round, thick iron club.

Q: How long is the chief’s term?
A: The term is 5 years, but the chief can be reelected after half or one year in certain situation. The respectable ones can be reappointed, for example the 18th chief had stayed in office for 17 years.

Q: Who can be the chief?
A: Our chief is normally the prominent master of Gelug sect. And he should be the living Buddha over 20 and rich.

Q: How many degrees do the schools of Ta’er have?
A: There are four degrees: Laranba Gebshe, Zeranba Gebshe, Linsai Gebshe and Geranba Gebshe.