These ordinary monks who perform various chores and duties about the monastery make up the majority of the clergy. The government of a Tibetan Monastery may be described as a pyramid organized into three levels. Resembling a monastery within a monastery, each has its own prayer hall, library and monks, and possesses its own land, pastures and housing. Usually, only adult males become students. However, sometimes, young boys joint the monasteries.
Study begins with the Tibetan alphabet and moves on to the common prayers.
After passing examinations at the end of the first year he qualifies as a regular student for the study of esoteric Buddhism. Very few monks pass the tests. The degree system is similar to Han people's three levels degree system. The long climb up the ladder of esoteric Buddism is an arduous process lasting up to several decades. Not surprisingly many monks find it impossible to complete the journey and have to drop out.