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Lhasa Tour of
Drepung Monastery
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Situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers (3.1
miles) from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is
known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan
Buddhism. It is considered one of the 'Three Great Monasteries' (the
other two are the Ganden Monastery and the Sera Monastery. Covering
an area of 250,000 square meters (299,007 square yards), it held
7,700 monks in total and possessed 141 fazendas and 540 pastures in
its heyday, and is the largest-scale monastery among the ones of the
same kind. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the
monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given
the name 'Drepung Monastery' which, in the Tibetan language, means
Monastery of Collecting-Rice.
History:
The monestary was established in 1416 by Tsong Khapa's disciple
Jamyang Qoigyi, who was versed in both Esoteric and Exotoric
Buddhism and became the first Kampo there. With the support of
plutocrats, it developed as the richest monastery of Gelugpa and
became the mother temple of Dalai Lamas. In 1546, the third Dalai
was welcomed as the first Living Buddha into the monastery. At the
invitation of Mongolia's king, he went to Qinghai Province to
preach. He was dignified with the title 'the third Dalai Lama' the
first and second Dalai were entitled, too. It is the very place that
the second, third, and the fourth Dalai Lama held the Sitting-in-Bed
Ceremony, as well as the residence of the fifth Dalai before his
nomination by the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
Systems:
The organizational hierarchy of the monastery is rather complex. The
main branches of the organization consist of Coqen, Zhacang, Kamcun,
and Myicun. Coqen is in the highest position, to which Zhacang
belongs, and Kamcun is under the jurisdiction of Zhacang, with the
Myicun as its subordinate. Monks belonging to respective Zhacangs
cannot interblend with each other.
The education system in Zhacangs is set up such that, every year
there are eight chances to study the sutra collectively, each time
spanning from half a month to a month. Monks are tested before the
Kampo in the method of reciting sutras and debating, and based on
their performance; receive the degrees of different levels.
Visit to the Monastery:
The ground of the monastery is organized on the caves and temples
for Jamyang Qoigyi, together with two magnificent white pagodas. The
buildings of the monastery are centered on these pagodas, The major
buildings are Ganden Potrang, Coqen Hall, the four Zhacangs (or
Tantric colleges), and Kamcuns. The Ganden Potrang, in the southwest
corner of the monastery, was built under the supervision of the
second Dalai Lama Gendun Gyaco around the year of 1530. It became
the residence of the second, third, fourth, and the fifth Dalai
Lamas. After the fifth Dalai Lama moved to the Potala Palace, it was
served as the meeting place for the local regime for both politics
and religion.
The Coqen Hall is located in the center of the monastery. In front
of it, is a square occupying an area of about 1,850 square meters
(2213 square yards). Stepping on the wide stone stairs, you will see
the grand Entrance Hall. Inside is the Sutra Hall supported by 183
pillars, and spanning 1,850 square meters. Amongst the colorful
decorations, there are fine and vivid statues of Buddha. The second
story houses collections of precious sutras. There are a set of
Gangyur Tripitaka written in gold powder, and woodcarving sutras of
the Qing Dynasty. On the third story is enshrined a huge bronze
statues of Qamba Buddha, which is said to be the future appearance
of the Qamba Buddha in his 8th year. It is worshiped by the
disciples of Buddhism.
The monastery is composed of 4 Zhacangs, functioning as the
sutra-learning places and the subordinate organization. Loseling
Zhacang is the largest with the most lamas. The Loseling, Gomang,
and Deyang Zhacang focus on the Esoteric Buddhism, while the Ngaba
Zhacang on the Exotoric Buddhism.
Several courtyards in the dense forests on the grounds of the
monastery are used for monks to debate on the sutras. The courtyards
sites are always chosen near Zhacang and various trees are grown.
After enduring the debating period in both Zhacang and the entire
monastery, the winner will obtain the qualification to attend the
test for the senior degree of Geshi.
Cultural Relics:
The Drepung Monastery houses many cultural relics, which adorn the
monastery and make it more superb. Statues of Manjushri Bodhisattva,
and Sitatapatra found on the first storey of the Coqen Hall, rare
sutras on the second storey and Jamyang Qoigyi's conch shell given
by Tsong Khapa on the third one, all add to the wonderment of the
monastery. Exquisite statues of Tsong Khapa, Kwan-yin Bodhisattva,
Manjushri Bodhisattva, Amitayus, and Jamyang Qoigyi in other sutra
halls, as well as flowery murals on walls also fully present the
wisdom of the Tibetan people.
Tour Lhasa
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best
Lhasa
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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