Paṇḍita (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khepa; Wyl: mkhas pa) was a title in Indian Buddhism awarded to scholars who have mastered the five sciences (Sanskrit: pañcavidyāsthāna; Tib.
rig gnas chen po lnga) in which a learned person was traditionally supposed to be well-versed.
The five sciences are: The stipulation can be traced to (but may well predate) the Mahāyāna-sūtrālamkāra-kārikā, which states: "Without becoming a scholar in the five sciences, not even the supreme sage can become omniscient.
"[2] The first (and one of the only) Tibetans afforded the title was Sakya Pandita.
For other notable Buddhists afforded the title, see Pandita.