Customs of the Sera Monastery in Lhasa
Tibet.
Roof of the world.
A city once closed off to outsiders all over the world.
Now you can see Lhasa for yourself.
It is a place that allows you to feel as though you're stepping back in time to when life was simple without all the complexities of today's modern inventions.
But no matter where you decide to stay when you visit Lhasa, there are some things you need to see.
Sera Monastery is one of these places.
It is located in Lhasa, one of three very well-known monasteries - the other two are Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery.
Tibetan monks walk the streets all over the city, and you may see some of them coming and going from these temples.
Sera Monastery was dedicated to the Yellow Hat Sect (also known as Gelugpa), which is an aspect of Tibetan Buddhism.
It was built by Jamchen Chojey in 1419, a time when the Ming Dynasty was in full power in China.
The word "sera" that the monastery is named for means rose.
This is because when the monastery was built, the hill behind it was covered in wild roses in full bloom.
It's a stunning place to see, but if you want to see all of it, be ready to take some time to do so because the building covers 28 acres.
The main areas include Coqen Hall, Zhacang (where monks actively study Buddhist doctrine), and Kamcun (the dormitories where the monks dine and sleep).
You'll be able to see scriptures written in gold powder, amazing statues and murals, and scent cloths throughout the monastery.
The monks hold debates here regarding Buddhism using methods that are slightly different from those at other monasteries in Lhasa.
If you visit during December 27th, you'll be able to see the Sera Bengqin Festival.
It's a grand festival in which a Dorje Pestle it taken to Potala Palace where the Dali Lama is to pray to Buddha to confer his strength.
The pestle is blessed and it is placed on all the followers who believe that the strength of Buddha has indeed been transferred.
Locals and tourists can enjoy the Shoton Festival from June 30th to July 6th.
This is when the Buddha-Unfolding Festival occurs and everyone is allowed to worship the Buddha - the celestial burial place is behind the Sera Monastery in the hillside.
You never know what you might encounter while in Lhasa, so dress warmly, be open to new things, and soak up all the sights you can.
Roof of the world.
A city once closed off to outsiders all over the world.
Now you can see Lhasa for yourself.
It is a place that allows you to feel as though you're stepping back in time to when life was simple without all the complexities of today's modern inventions.
But no matter where you decide to stay when you visit Lhasa, there are some things you need to see.
Sera Monastery is one of these places.
It is located in Lhasa, one of three very well-known monasteries - the other two are Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery.
Tibetan monks walk the streets all over the city, and you may see some of them coming and going from these temples.
Sera Monastery was dedicated to the Yellow Hat Sect (also known as Gelugpa), which is an aspect of Tibetan Buddhism.
It was built by Jamchen Chojey in 1419, a time when the Ming Dynasty was in full power in China.
The word "sera" that the monastery is named for means rose.
This is because when the monastery was built, the hill behind it was covered in wild roses in full bloom.
It's a stunning place to see, but if you want to see all of it, be ready to take some time to do so because the building covers 28 acres.
The main areas include Coqen Hall, Zhacang (where monks actively study Buddhist doctrine), and Kamcun (the dormitories where the monks dine and sleep).
You'll be able to see scriptures written in gold powder, amazing statues and murals, and scent cloths throughout the monastery.
The monks hold debates here regarding Buddhism using methods that are slightly different from those at other monasteries in Lhasa.
If you visit during December 27th, you'll be able to see the Sera Bengqin Festival.
It's a grand festival in which a Dorje Pestle it taken to Potala Palace where the Dali Lama is to pray to Buddha to confer his strength.
The pestle is blessed and it is placed on all the followers who believe that the strength of Buddha has indeed been transferred.
Locals and tourists can enjoy the Shoton Festival from June 30th to July 6th.
This is when the Buddha-Unfolding Festival occurs and everyone is allowed to worship the Buddha - the celestial burial place is behind the Sera Monastery in the hillside.
You never know what you might encounter while in Lhasa, so dress warmly, be open to new things, and soak up all the sights you can.
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