Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Fascinating Spectacle of Debating Monks Our group of 14 visited the Sera Monastery on 9th June 2018 in the afternoon. After obtaining entry tickets (50 CNY per person), we passed through the security gate and walked up along the stone paved path for about 250 metres, stopping on the way to see a small Stupa on the right hand side. The path led us to the Debating Courtyard of crushed stone, where monks debate Buddhist scripture at 1500 hours every day except on Sundays. When we reached the “Debating Courtyard” around 1545, the debating session was in full swing. There were more than 100 monks in the courtyard, some seated on cushions and others standing. The air in the courtyard was filled with the sound of monks some yelling and insistent and others listening and speaking quietly. The gestures of the monks, using their whole body, moving forward and backwards, at the same time bringing their hands together in a violent clap appeared to give force to each ones argument. You get used to the noise of continuous smacking of hands and feel a sense of energy in the air. The public are allowed to watch this ritual from the sides. However, photographing within the Debating Courtyard is not permitted except with the cell phones. I was fascinated by this spectacle. At the conclusion of the debating session all monks seated themselves and recited their prayers. During the prayer session a senior monk walked around the praying monks holding a lighted incense stick. We next visited the Assembly Hall built on a large number of columns draped in red cloth. There were many Buddha statues here, together with a multitude of other statues and coloured drawings on the walls. The seats on the hall draped in red are for the monks who come to the hall to pray as well as for administrative meetings. Although photographs are not permitted, after pleading with the monks using hand gestures, I was permitted to take just three photos within the Assembly Hall. These I now greatly treasure!
Seevali De AbrewSeevali De Abrew
70
Personally, I don’t like Sera Monastery much but it is another must-seen when in Lhasa. It is one of the biggest Monastery there and the most important thing that it is the only one Monastery have the debate in public. However, do not expect much because it is difficult for normal people to understand. My travel guide let us come in alone because he has heard thousands times and he could not understand at all. The most disliked thing here is the public toilets, the smell is disgusting and spread everywhere. Anyway, it’s a must-seen, so let enjoy it :)
Val NgVal Ng
50
A beautiful Monastery. We arrived at 2:55 and went straight to see the debating monks. This was fun to watch regardless of the language barrier. After visiting the debating monks our guide took us for a little tour seldom seen by others and we encounter no other tourists at all. We encountered many nomads as it is winter here. As usual the nomads all smiled and wanted pictures of my children. The nomads are such gentle people. Truly beautiful people who love children. The toilets are a bit dodgy here so please make use of toilets before you arrive.
Joseph KingJoseph King
20
Das Kloster Sera. . Ewa 5 km nördlich von Lhasa befindet sich eins der „Drei Großen Klöster“ des Gelug-Ordens des tibetischen Buddhismus. Die Geschichte des Klosters ist lang, kriegerisch und kompliziert, deshalb möchte ich sie gar nicht erst aufführen. Das Kloster zählt heute wieder zu den drei am besten erhaltenen Klosteranlagen Tibets. . Bemerkenswert ist die Lage des Klosters unterhalb massiver Felsen. Während der Kulturrevolution wurde ein großer Teil der Kloster-Gebäude stark zerstört und anschließend als Kaserne genutzt. Zum Glück investierte die chinesische Regierung um 1980 große Summen für die Renovierung des Klosters und große Teile der alten Gebäude wurden sehr schön restauriert. Anschließend wurde der Kloster-Betrieb wieder aufgenommen. 1982 wurde das Kloster vom chinesischen Staat unter Denkmalschutz gestellt. Heute leben wieder rund 750 Mönche im Kloster. . Besonders sehenswert sind die drei großen Hallen der drei Fakultäten und der Tshogchen, die „Große Versammlungshalle“ des Klosters. Sie wurde um 1700 erbaut und wird von 125 Säulen getragen. Da das Kloster noch voll im Betrieb ist, kann man bestimmte Gebäudeteile nur besichtigen, wenn die Mönche nicht am Studieren und Beten sind. Die Farbenpracht, in der das Kloster heute wieder erstrahlt, ist faszinierend und wenn man miterleben darf wie hunderte Mönche lautstark am Diskutieren sind, ist dies schon ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis.
Joachim PaulJoachim Paul
20
The must-see here is the public, spirited debates between the monks that starts at 3pm daily, except for weekends. Multiple debates take place simultaneously - quite a cacophony with competing voices and gestures and claps to emphasise points. Curious about what they actually debate (impression from our guide is that they are revising/discussing the lessons taught earlier in the day) and how the debates are arbitrated.
Timothy GohTimothy Goh
00
This monastery was built in more than 500 years old. If you are lucky, you can witness the monks debating about buddhist subjects. Only handphone cameras are allowed to use. The security here is similar to Potala Palace, stationed with guards and x-ray machines It is quite huge and there are also a number of shops spawning beside the monastery. There is also a carpark nearby.
Alan KoekAlan Koek
10
Basic Info
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China, Tibet, Lhasa, 色拉中路 邮政编码: 850007
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4.6
(143 reviews)
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cultural
family friendly
Description
Sera Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, located 1.25 miles north of Lhasa and about 5 km north of the Jokhang. The other two are Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
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