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Monks at Sera Monastery, Lhasa

Sera Monastery Visit

Visit Sera monastery on the northern edge of Lhasa, whose title means ‘Merciful Hail’. Its name denotes its rivalry with the Drepung, since hail destroys rice and Drepung Monastery is also known as"Rice Heap". Founded in 1419 by one of Tsongkhapa's eight disciples, Sera became famous for its Tantric teachings. The warrior monks of Sera, the ‘Dob-Dobs’, were admired as athletes but also feared.

A central lane and fairly simple layout make Sera easy to explore. A long driveway leads up to the monastery. Sera had three colleges but the chanting halls and chapels seem dark and more demonic.

Today it houses some three hundred monks and its buildings include farms and printing workshops. Watching the monks engaged in their stylized debating is a real experience.

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Other experiences in Lhasa

These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

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