Drepung Monastery, not far from the Potola Palace in Lhasa is the largest monastery in Tibet. It housed almost 8,000 monks and at times upwards of 10,000. It was shut down by the Chinese during the 2008 rebellion. Coincidentally during that time I had timed my first attempt to visit Tibet only to arrive in Hong Kong and find out that all access into Tibet had be closed and I had to visit other parts of China.

A stupa at the Drepung Monastery outside of Lhasa.

The Sera Monastery is another very large monastery in Lhasa which is still actively used today. It is famous for it’s daily afternoon debates in the debate courtyard. Hundreds of monks gather to debate the meaning of the scriptures. One monk will take the role of the questioner while the other takes the role of the defender. What ensues is a lively formal ritualistic debate with loud hand clapping, wild arm gestures and louder screams as a point or counter point is made.