Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si)
Founded in 1416 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamyang Choeje, Drepung was once Tibet's largest and most influential monastery, with over 10,000 monks. The seat of the Dalai Lamas before the "Great Fifth" Dalai Lama built the Potala Palace, many buildings survived the Cultural Revolution, but the order now pays a price for its prominent role in the pro-independence demonstrations of 1987. On September 27, 1987, about 20 Drepung monks unfurled banners and the Tibetan flag, and marched around the Barkhor before being arrested in front of the TAR Government HQ. This politicization of the monks is remarkable, as they were once loyal to their college first, and country second. Monks at Loseling College foughtagainstTibetan independence after the fall of the Qing. The effects of a program of political indoctrination undertaken in 1996 are still felt. A PSB compound sits below the monastery, and "cadre monks" keep a close eye on day-to-day activities.
A circuit of the monastery begins withGanden Podrang (Ganden Palace),and continues on toTsokchen (Assembly Hall), Ngakpa Tratsang (College of Tantric Studies), Jamyang Drubpuk(Jamyang Choeje'smeditation cave,attached to the east wall of the Assembly Hall),Loseling Tratsang (College of Dialectics),andTashi Gomang Tratsang.The pilgrimage trail continues southeast down to the shadowy and enthrallingNechung Monastery(Naiqiong Si), home of the Nechung Oracle, who is consulted by the Dalai Lama on important matters of state. Separate admission to Nechung is ¥10 ($1.25).
To the left (west) of Drepung's Assembly Hall is thekitchen,where butter tea is prepared in huge wooden vats. Make much-needed donations to the monastery here. With the passing of the charismatic teacher Gen Lamrim in 1997, Drepung lost a major source of income. This master's lectures once drew devotees from all over the Tibetan world. The first floor of theAssembly Hallholds a striking statue of Dalai Lama XIII, magnificently lit by filtered sunshine and pungent yak butter lamps. Readings of the scriptures are often held at midday; hopefully you will be able to enjoy the spectacle of novices tumbling over one another in the race to fetch tea from the kitchen for their elders. Also popular with pilgrims is a chapel to the north of the second floor, which houses a mirror said to cure the facial diseases of those who gaze into it. The most revered image is a 15m-tall (49-ft.) statue of the 8-year-oldMaitreya Buddha,designed by Tsongkapa and housed in the northwest section of the building, usually viewed from the third floor. You will be offered holy water: Cup your right hand above your left, take a quick sip, and splash the rest on your head.
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| Hours | 9am-4:30pm | |
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| Transportation | Morning buses (10km/6 1/4 miles; 30 min.; ¥3/40¢) depart from west of the Jokhang. Returning to Lhasa, take bus no. 302 from Nechung Monastery, or bus no. 301 from the bottom of the hill | |
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| Phone | 0891/686-3149 | |
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| Prices | Admission ¥55 ($7) | |