However, in the other, there were no trees at all. A master monk was present in both gardens, and it was to these that the debating monks deferred when they were unable to settle a point between themselves. Someone explained to me that this has the effect of drawing the lower sentient beings higher. I m not sure about this, but my sense is that roles reverse if the one questioned answers correctly. Besides being an ostensible educational exercise, the monks seem to take delight in it, laughing and shouting all the while.
Some debaters also attract groups who give moral support.
The debates are generally the way the monks pass their exams and move from one course to another. The debates we saw were part of the daily practice they needed to be able later to pass their real tests. As I mentioned above, in front of the entrance to Sera, pilgrims and devotees can purchase plastic packets of yak butter to add to the butter lamps always burning before the images of the Buddhas. As mentioned earlier, adding this butter to the lamps is considered an act of devotion. The monks also run a printing press at Sera for copying their scriptures.